AGRIC,  DEPT, 


' : 
, 


Agile.  Dept- 


PROFIT  OR  LOSS 


CREDIT 
ri 


rood 


Breed  in  q  Stock 


Meat 


Labor 

Unavoidable 
Jity 


PROFIT  OR  LOSS 


POULTRY 
DISEASES 


Causes 

Symptoms 

and  Treatment 

With  Notes  on 

Post-Mortem   Examinations 


E.  J.  WORTLEY,  F.  C.  S. 


Illustrated 


ORANGE  JUDD  COMPANY 
1915 

LONDON 
KEG  AN  PAUL.  TRENCH.  TRUBNER  &  CO  .  Limited 


Vs/  b 


Main  Lib. 


-    -"• 
"  <^ 

& 


Copyright,  1915,  by 

ORANGE  JUDD  COMPANY 

All  Rights  Reserved 

Entered  at  Stationers'  Hall 
LONDON.  ENGLAND 


PRINTED  IN  U.  S.  A. 


PREFACE 

Poultry  farming  as  a  means  of  profit  can 
be  made  successful  only  by  maintaining  the 
most  vigorous  and  sustained  campaign 
against  disease.  The  aim  of  the  poultry 
rearer  should  be  to  stamp  out  disease  by 
preventive  measures.  Practical  experience 
proves  the  inefficiency  of  many  so-called 
cures,  and  points  to  the  urgency  of  poultry- 
men  endeavoring  to  understand  more  thor- 
oughly the  causes  of  the  ailments  to  which 
domestic  fowls  are  liable. 

My  aim  is  to  put  a  concise  handbook  into 
the  hands  of  poultry  rearers,  who  should 
thus  be  assisted  in  determining  the  various 
diseases  and  in  taking  the  precautionary 
steps  important  in  preventing  the  introduc- 
tion and  spread  of  contagious  diseases.  No 
effort  is  made  to  elaborate  the  scientific  side 
of  the  subject.  Those  desirous  of  obtain- 
ing full  information  about  the  types  of 
organisms  that  have  been  proved  to  be  the 
specific  causes  of,  or  to  be  invariably  asso- 

v 


331234 


PREFACE 

ciated  with,  particular  disorders,  may  do  so 
with  profit  by  obtaining  fuller  works  on  the 
subject.  Many  scientific  workers  are  de- 
voting their  time  to  the  problem  of  combat- 
ing diseases  among  poultry,  and  assistance 
is  willingly  given  by  officers  of  the  ex- 
periment stations  to  farmers  who  desire  to 
identify  any  disease  causing  loss  in  their 
flocks. 

The  practical  poultryman  will  recognize 
the  fact  that  measures  for  the  control  of 
disease  cannot  be  limited  to  sanitation 
and  the  treatment  of  sick  birds,  but,  in 
reality,  include  such  important  matters  as 
the  selection  of  healthy  stock,  intelligent 
feeding,  proper  housing,  and  other  details 
essential  to  the  successful  management  of 
poultry. 

I  gratefully  acknowledge  my  indebted- 
ness to  the  works  of  Dr.  D.  E.  Salmon  and 
John  H.  Robinson,  editor  of  Farm  Poultry, 
and  to  the  recent  publication  on  poultry  dis- 
eases by  Dr.  Raymond  Pearl,  Frank  M. 
Surface,  and  Maynie  R.  Curtis.  My  thanks 
are  due  to  R.  S.  Martinez  for  the  care  taken 
vi 


PREFACE 

in  making  the  photographs  from  which  the 
drawings  for  the  illustrations  in  the  chapter 
on  Post-Mortem  Examinations  were  pre- 
pared. Much  valuable  information  has 
also  been  obtained  from  bulletins  issued  by 
the  experiment  stations  of  the  United  States 
and  by  the  Ontario  Agricultural  College  of 
Canada. 

E.  J.  WORTLEY. 


Vll 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

CHAPTER  I 
GENERAL  METHODS  OF  CONTROLLING  DISEASE       i 

1.  Importance  of  controlling  disease. 

2.  Dangers  of  introducing  disease. 

3.  Control  measures. 

4.  Nursing  sick  birds. 

5.  The  use  of  drugs  and  medicines. 

6.  Disinfection. 

CHAPTER  II 
SUMMARY     OF     EXTERNAL     SYMPTOMS     AND 

TREATMENT  .         .         .         .         -14 

1.  Diseases  affecting  head  and  respiratory  organs. 

2.  Diseases  affecting  organs  of  digestion  and  repro- 

duction. 

3.  Diseases  affecting  legs  and  feet. 

4.  Parasites. 

5.  Miscellaneous. 

CHAPTER  III 
DISEASES  OF  POULTRY  OTHER  THAN  FOWLS      .     19 

CHAPTER  IV 
DISEASES  AND  PESTS  OF  FOWLS  .         .         .         .22 

(In  alphabetical  order.) 

CHAPTER  V 
POST- MORTEM  EXAMINATIONS   .         .         .         .99 

1.  Making  the  examination. 

2.  The  normal  condition  of  the  internal  organs. 

3.  Diagnosis  of  disease  by  post-mortem  symptoms. 

ix 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


FIG.  PAGE 

Profit  or  Loss Frontispiece 

2  Isolation        .........       5 

3  Desolation 6 

4  Poultryman's  Medicine  Shelves    .....       8 

5  How  Disease  Is  Spread       .         .         .         .         .         .10 

6  Aids  to  Thorough  Disinfection    .         .         .         .         .12 

7  Head   Showing  Brain   Exposed 29 

R     I  Windpipe  Cut  Open I 

t  A  Fungus  That  Causes  Aspergillosis       .         .        } 

9     Bumblefoot  ........  36 

10  Chicken   Pox 38 

11  Diphtheritic  Roup 50 

5  Chicken   Affected  with   Gapes          .         .  1      , 

1  Gape  Worms I 

13  Looking  for  Lice  .......     67 

14  Three  Lice  That  Commonly  Affect  Fowls         .         .     68 

15  The  Air-Sac  Mite 74 

16  The  Depluming  Mite  .......     74 

17  The  Red  Mite 75 

18  Organs  of  Reproduction  of  the  Hen     .         .         .         -78 

19  Examining  a  Fowl  with  a  Suspicious  Cold  .         .         .84 

20  A  Roupy  Eye .     87 

21  Scaly  Leg 88 

22  The  Mite  That  Causes  Scaly  Leg      .         .         .         .89 

23  The  Fowl  Tick 90 

24  Organs  Affected  by  Tuberculosis  and  Blackhead       .     91 

25  Chickens  Affected  with  White  Diarrhea     .         .         .93 

26  Healthy   Chickens 93 

27  Worms  in  Intestinal  Tract  of  Fowl     .         .         .         -95 

28  The  Parts  of  a  Fowl 96 

29  Skeleton  of  a  Fowl -97 

30  Post-Mortem  Examination  No.  i  ....  100 

31  Post-Mortem  Examination  No.  2          ....  102 

32  Post-Mortem  Examination  No.  3  ....   104 

33  Post-Mortem  Examination  No.  4          ....  106 

34  Post-Mortem  Examination  No.  5          .         .         .         .no 

xi 


CHAPTER  I 

GENERAL  METHODS  OF  CONTROLLING 
DISEASE 

I.   Importance  of  Controlling  Disease 

THE  ravages  of  disease  add  considerably 
to  the  difficulties  of  raising  poultry  in 
all  parts  of  the  world.  It  is  the  experience 
of  poultry  rearers  that  an  annual  toll  has  to 
be  paid  in  the  lives  of  young  birds  and  older 
stock.  Sooner  or  later,  in  addition,  an  epi- 
demic may  break  out  and  result  in  heavy 
losses  and  much  discouragement. 

It  is  most  important,  therefore,  to  be  able 
to  recognize  the  symptoms  and  to  know  the 
causes  of  the  many  diseases  to  which  vari- 
ous kinds  of  poultry  are  subject.  Every 
practical  effort  should  be  made  to  reduce 
avoidable  mortality.  An  unexplained 
death  should  be  regarded  with  concern.  It 
may  point  to  the  presence  of  a  serious  dis- 
ease. When  there  is  not  sufficient  external 


POUtTKY   DISEASES  :«AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 


evidence  for  determining  the  cause  of  death, 
a  post-mortem  examination  should  be  made 
(see  page  98). 

The  poultryman  must  know  above  all 
whether  he  is  dealing  with  an  infectious  dis- 
ease or  not.  The  discovery  that  a  sudden 
death  among  his  fowls  is  due  to  apoplexy 
will  set  his  mind  at  ease.  On  the  other  hand, 
if  a  case  of  cholera  occurs,  the  body  of  the 
dead  fowl  should  be  burnt,  and  a  vigorous 
campaign  started  to  prevent  the  spread  of 
the  disease;  birds  showing  mopishness  and 
other  suspicious  symptoms  should  be 
isolated;  the  houses,  the  feed  troughs,  the 
water  vessels,  and  the  yard  to  which  the  dead 
fowl  has  had  access,  should  all  be  thor- 
oughly disinfected. 

2.  Dangers  of  Introducing  Disease 

Perhaps  more  loss  has  been  caused  by  in- 
troducing birds  with  disease  into  a  healthy 
flock  than  by  any  other  means.  Readers 
will,  doubtless,  be  able  to  recall  occasions 
on  which  their  own,  or  their  neighbors', 

2 


GENERAL  METHODS  OF  CONTROLLING  DISEASE 

flocks  suffered.  An  instance  was  recently 
related  to  the  writer.  A  poultryman  was 
offered  two  fowls,  which  he  at  first  refused, 
but  owing  to  the  vagrant  seller's  importu- 
nity, he  eventually  bought  the  birds  and  let 
them  loose  among  the  home  flock.  On  the 
following  day  one  died;  but  no  effort  was 
made  to  discover  the  cause,  nor  was  the  dead 
fowl's  body  burnt.  In  a  few  days,  a  fowl 
belonging  to  the  original  flock  died  and,  in 
three  to  four  weeks  after  the  purchase,  two- 
thirds  of  the  stock  had  died.  It  afterwards 
transpired  that  the  vendor  had  lost  several 
of  his  fowls  from  cholera,  and  the  fear  of 
further  mortalities  had  been  his  reason 
for  being  so  anxious  to  dispose  of  the 
survivors. 

On  every  farm  where  poultry  is  kept, 
there  should  be  a  quarantine  ward  for  new 
purchases.  The  most  careful  breeders  will 
isolate  their  own  birds  that  have  returned 
from  an  exhibition,  for  fear  they  may  have 
contracted  some  disease  there  or  on  the 
journey. 

3 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

J.   Control  Measures 

Practical  experience  and  scientific  in- 
vestigation have  clearly  proved  that  pre- 
ventive measures  are  more  economical  and 
effective  than  curative.  Failing  preven- 
tion, everything  points  to  the  importance  of 
dealing  promptly  with  the  first  cases,  owing 
to  the  risk  of  infection  of  the  rest  of  the 
stock.  Control  measures  may  be  divided 
into  three  classes: 

1.  Proper  housing  and  feeding  of  fowls. 

2.  General   sanitation   and   disinfection. 

3.  Administration  of  medicine  to  sick  birds. 

The  details  to  which  special  attention 
must  be  given  are  covered  by  the  following 
axiomatic  rules: 

1.  Isolate  birds  recently  purchased — for  two  or  three  weeks. 

2.  Isolate  every  bird  that  shows  any  sign  of  ill  health. 

3.  Provide   a   fresh   and  pure  supply  of  water  in  a  shady 

position. 

4.  Add  Epsom  salts   (one  teaspoonful  to  a  quart)    once  a 

week  to  the  drinking  water.     Give  chickens  daily  a 
liberal  supply  of  bran  in  addition  to  their  other  food. 

5.  Feed  birds  on  a  varied  diet,  including  green  food. 

6.  Arrange  that  birds  have  to  scratch  for  some  of  their  food. 

7.  Construct   houses,   nest  boxes,   etc.,  so   that  they  can  be 

readily   and  thoroughly  disinfected.     Houses   should 
be  free  from  drafts. 

8.  Disinfect    contaminated    soil    by    spraying,    liming,    and 

resting. 


GENERAL  METHODS  OF  CONTROLLING  DISEASE 


9.     Visit  the  roosts  at  night  to  detect  cases  of  wheezing  due 

to  colds,  and  to  search  for  mites  and  other  pests. 
10.     Keep  on  hand  disinfectants,  lice  powders  and  medicines 
likely  to  be  required. 

4.  Nursing  Sick  Birds 

The  small  margin  of  profit  on  a  single 
fowl  makes  dosing  with  medicines  and  nurs- 
ing an  unprofitable  occupation,  except  in 


FIG.  2.— ISOLATION 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND  THEIR   TREATMENT 

the  case  of  valuable  stock.  If  the  treatment 
of  a  bird  is  undertaken,  it  should  be  borne 
in  mind  that  more  depends  upon  attention 
to  the  rules  of  good  nursing  than  to  the 
administration  of  drugs.  Comfortable 
quarters,  warm  and  free  from  drafts,  clean 
straw,  and  invalid's  diet  of  soft  and  easily 


FIG.  3.— DESOLATION 


GENERAL  METHODS  OF  CONTROLLING  DISEASE 

digested  food  will  all  turn  the  chances  in 
favor  of  recovery. 

Too  often  isolation  is  in  effect  a  death  sen- 
tence. The  bird  is  put  into  cramped  quar- 
ters, exposed  to  cold  winds  and  beating 
rains,  and,  being  in  an  out-of-the-way  cor- 
ner, is,  perhaps,  neglected  instead  of  being 
specially  cared  for. 

Fowls  that  will  not  take  food  should  be 
fed  lightly,  but  frequently,  with  a  spoon  in 
order  that  their  strength  may  be  kept  up. 
All  stale  food  should  be  removed. 

5.   The  Use  of  Drugs  and  Medicines 

Drugs  and  medicines  likelyto  be  required 
should  always  be  kept  in  stock.  The 
weekly  use  of  Epsom  salts,  as  a  mild  laxative 
for  preventing  intestinal  disorders,  is 
strongly  recommended.  Little  faith  should 
be  put  in  drugs  said  to  cure  tuberculosis, 
cholera,  etc.  Below  is  given  a  list  of  the 
medicines  generally  required.  The  doses 
given  in  the  table  are  for  a  medium-sized 
adult  fowl;  three-quarters  as  much  should 
be  given  for  a  half-grown  bird,  and  about 

7 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

one-fifth  for  a  young  chicken.  Treatment 
should  be  repeated  as  necessary,  and  animals 
should  be  well  nursed. 


FIG.  4.— POULTRYMAN'S  MEDICINE  SHELVES 


GENERAL  METHODS  OF  CONTROLLING  DISEASE 


MEDICINE 

DOSE  OR 
STRENGTH 

DISEASE 

Stimulants  — 
Brandy   

3-10    drops    in 

Aperients  — 
Calomel    

warm  milk 
1  grain 

Diarrhea;  liver  disease 

Castor  oil 

Epsom  salts  

20  grains  to  50 

Astringents  — 

grains    in 
food    or 
warm  water 

Constipation;       diarrhea; 
r       liver  disease. 

) 

Laudanum  (relieves  pain) 
Tonic  and  Febrifuge  — 

4-6  drops 

Diarrhea;   dysentery. 
Diarrhea;   dysentery. 

f  Colds;    fever;   TOUT. 

For   Worms  — 
Turpentine     ....*. 

in  1  teaspoon- 
ful  castor  oil 

I 

}-  Worms    (intestinal). 

Antiseptic  Washes  — 
(a)    Carbolic   acid    
(b)    Hydrogen  peroxide, 
(c)   Creolin     
(d)    Permanganate   of 

1-5%    sol. 
50% 
2-5%   sol. 
%-2%  sol. 

j 

I    Colds;    roup;   diphtheria; 
|        cuts  and  injuries. 

Dressing  Flesh  Wounds— 
y2   creolin  and  x/£  sweet 
oil                             ... 

Cuts  and  injuries. 

To   Reduce   Swellings  — 

Tincture 

Embrocation  : 
Turpentine  

10  drops 

(Cramp. 

Sweet  oil 

1  ounce 

Rheumatism. 

Insecticides  — 
Lice  powders    

Lice,  mites. 

Sulphur  ointment: 

1  part 

Scaly  legs. 
Lice,  scaly  legs,  mites,  ticks. 

1  part 

Lard   

2  parts 

NOTE. — By  accepting  that  1  *4  teaspoonfuls  made  up  to  a  r«"-t  v-"1i 
water  gives  approximately  a  1%  solution,  any  of  the  weak  dilutions 
required  by  poultrymen  can  be  easily  prepared. 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

6.  Disinfection 

The  important  part  played  by  micro-or- 
ganisms in  causing  and  spreading  disease 
must  be  understood  before  the  value  of  dis- 
infection can  be  fully  appreciated.  The 
poultryman  must  develop  a  sense  of  sight 
that  sees  lurking  microbes  at  every  turn, 
especially  in  unclean  corners.  Figure  5 
shows  germs  revealed  by  the  microscope  in 
the  excrement  of  a  bird  suffering  from 


FIG.   5.— HOW   DISEASE   IS   SPREAD 
Germs  of  tuberculosis  in  the  excrement  of  a  fowl.      (After  Edwards.) 

IO 


GENERAL  METHODS  OF  CONTROLLING  DISEASE 

tuberculosis.  The  fact  that  this  speck  con- 
tained so  many  germs,  although  it  was  far 
too  small  to  be  seen  with  the  naked  eye,  will 
give  an  idea  of  how  epidemics  may  be 
caused  by  food,  water,  and  soil  contam- 
inated by  excreta,  nasal  discharges,  etc. 

Regular  and  thorough  disinfection  of 
woodwork,  of  feeding  vessels,  and  of  the 
drinking  water  should  form  part  of  the 
routine  of  poultry  management,  and  a  stock 
of  disinfectants  should  always  be  kept  on 
hand.  It  will  be  found  convenient  to  have 
an  iron  drum  with  a  tap  for  a  diluted  solu- 
tion, say  5%,  of  some  standard  disinfectant 
— e.  g.,  creolin — that  can  be  further  diluted 
as  required. 

Water.  A  stock  solution  of  perman- 
ganate of  potash,  made  by  adding  ten'grains 
to  one  quart  of  water,  should  always  be  kept 
on  hand  for  purposes  of  disinfection.  When 
there  is  danger  of  infection,  two  tablespoon- 
fuls  of  this  solution  should  be  added  to 
every  gallon  of  drinking  water. 

Feeding  Vessels.  Clean  with  boiling 
water. 

ii 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR   TREATMENT 

Houses  and  Fixtures.  Spray  with  2% 
to  5%  creolin  (or  other  disinfectant)  and 
whitewash  afterwards,  or  use  whitewash  to 
which  2%  of  creolin  has  been  added.  The 


FIG.  6.— AIDS  TO  THOROUGH  DISINFECTION 

12 


GENERAL  METHODS  OF  CONTROLLING  DISEASE 

whitewash  should  be  prepared  with  quick- 
lime. The  house  should  first  be  cleaned 
out  with  an  iron  scraper  and  scrubbing 
brush,  using  a  liberal  supply  of  water  (see 
Fig.  6). 

Soil.     The  most  convenient  of  the  follow- 
ing methods  should  be  adopted : 

1 i )  Spray  surface  with  5%  creolin. 

(2)  Spread  straw  over  ground  and  set 
fire  to  it. 

(3)  Fork  over  and  lime.     This  method 
is  not  sufficient  if  serious  contamination  is 
suspected. 


POULTRY   DISEASES   AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 


H 

Q 
^ 

< 

CO 


w 

H 

0-c 


r   \ 


W 

PH 
o 


S 
§ 
D 


5 

fc 

2 

1 

g 

g-j    |    S 

"5« 

"c 

£  **•           0          -w 

oj 

S 

~ 

•§,=    «§ 

E 

. 

'1 

S 

*   0        "         ~ 

"O 

S'i 

73 

c 

_x 

.t;  «     -^     '5 

jjj 

c 

w  * 

c 

1 

^    4J           O 

UJ 

"^   >» 

c 

,0 

p 

CO             .                  ^ 

TREATM 

ktl 

f-si 

1 
£ 
'* 

to 

0 

C 

I  gi  S    -g. 

till  .i  « 

crc 

5   >,CX 

ex 

as             .S   ^  -^   u   O  ^-         CO 

i 

•%  ° 

i 

•o 

f^w^^c'g       2 

**"  ! 

1  |  £ 

^3    t, 

2£ 

to  4 

1      irlsls^S.^ 

-o°  o 

S. 

o 

^2     £23     <     K 

(8 

:  *oT           "S 

.    V 

:          ^  :  : 

1     : 

'o 

.  X 

J= 

0     •     • 

3 

8 

Z3     *     • 

•73 

o 

73     : 

c/j   • 

C 

P 

• 

*•*     • 

CJ 

g 

S 

•  "S 

^ 

• 

1  ^  • 

^J 

ex 

| 

F 

5 

ex 

03 

I!c 

o 

**   1    I 

0 

w 

73 

'•  * 

B 

T3 
C 

§§•  : 

J 

g 

'•  .„ 

•  -J5 

0 

S3 

jfl   O     • 

o  J^    • 

^ 

I  c 

o 

M 

<L> 

41  u  u 

cu    ' 

f_l 

'3 
H« 

II 

1^ 

•^ 

O 
C 

'S  °  ° 

jag 

S 

^ 

0)  ^ 

S     r" 

^  ^ 

£d 

CX^  73  ^ 

*-  o  *^ 

UJ 

C    c 

>    0 

a  •- 

c 

75 

J=  *8C 

ex  c  > 

*u  * 
&T 

0   03 

II 

2 

,co  £   3   J 

0 

>,'£  e 

"i  55 

iS  "t 

c 

.2  c  CT: 

t  o  8 

<a  a 

s  s 

o)    - 

g 

3  ex  o 

z 

-< 

K 

* 

>i     wa 

CO       £ 

D^       ^ 

<S     p 

:  : 

'ex   i 

73         W 

*  ' 

o    '. 

2So 

•73 

§      .e 

on   • 

c  ^  u 

'  "5 

a       ex 

V     • 

^  ^ 

•  O 

73         C 

a>  ^  -H 

1        " 

3  ; 

85  ^>t: 

.  D 

*    4) 

H 

i 

|      | 

•    03 

I  "5 

.   O 

C- 

•z 

11! 

lit 

•    1) 

S 

tj   U   c 

•  S 

£ 

(£   W)    . 

2 

~  I  ^3 

•  ex 

/.  Diseases  aff 
atory  orgai 
Air  under  sk 

Apoplexy  .  . 

Aspergillosis 
Brooder  pnei 

rill 

u  cd   M  !£ 

CflUUU 

rt 
I) 

73 
O 

u 

li  !i  i  il 

UUQ      WW*     i      i5 

14 


SYMPTOMS  AND  TREATMENT 


ufj 

| 

0 

1 

g 

•a 

c 

o  > 

^ 

^^ 

^Q 

d. 

"1 

B 

1 

•o 

0 

c 

1 

. 

§  jo 

•5 

o 

c 

d 

•r  — 

~~  3 

ji 

"5 

3 

CO 

^- 

15 
co 

CU   3 

1 

U! 

=2 

C3 
U 

-t 

u 

H 

•£2 

O  *' 

<u       >> 

3 

rt 

<u 

Q. 
00 

I 

a 

.  a. 

Jt 
0 

H 

>       S 
O  co   oj 

E 

4> 

.. 

« 

S    CO 

OS 

H 

So"0 

B«  5 

«  -a  c 

b 

•S 

s 

o 

<u    . 

•c 

—  ^T 

u 

CO 

.S  -0".*' 

*"    0    rt 

2 

a 

•s  S 

3   ° 

"H.2 

co  «  £ 

Bj8  .• 

01    CO    m 

CO 

"3         «> 

a> 

*l  s 

°    00 

•°"S 

£-.=  •0 

l.i 

i     ^ 

a 

•£c 

SoS 

jS  i 

!" 

111 

MOi 

i 

0               0, 

E 
m 

0 

J3    > 

WO 

^  o 

j, 

;    ; 

i 

c 
1) 

;    ; 

12 

T3 

E 

•    • 

cu 

T3 

CO 

<u    . 

•o 

.2" 

S 

w  -2 

CO 

60    • 

c 

CU 

,„ 

o  g 

S 

•- 

gM 

£ 

M 

°8 

o 

c 

*-  _c 

'co 

r- 

H 

CD 

**-•  *-C 

c/T 

c 

fc 

CO 

o  ^* 

g 

S" 

93 
o 

o-l 

c 

to 

0 

|^ 

i  2 

0) 

^ 

.c 

g.c 

•a 

£1 
^ 

T3 

03 

"c5 

11 

^ 

J 

•  •s 

JD 

1) 

case 

ft 

H 

•a 

it 

1 

P 

• 

i 

i: 

^> 

X 

H 

""s 

tf 

T3 

i 

o 

CO 

s 

.-=  " 

l! 

c 
'5. 

T3 
C 

.# 

6 

11 

0 

tn   C 

1  s 

§ 

*J 

0 

0) 

C   3 

1)     CO 

tfl 

o-5 

C 

co 

—• 

"O 

Sfc   C 

0 

Z 

SO 

Q 

Q 

^ 

OP 

•b 

<0 

•a        •    • 
c        •  ^ 

; 

:  5i 

S. 

So 

; 

;!5 

2 

•3 

•  'u 

•  ^ 

iii 

!     'x' 
o 
a 

«^-> 

O           I   M 
«>           I 

! 

:S 

DISEASE 

acting  head 
ns  —  Continu 

i  jfl 

•     8  11 

?cting  organ 
'production: 

i 

0) 

^ 

3 

.S3        •  « 

.       II 

«>     .     •  JS 
.>  ^^     •    0 

i 

la 

4> 

11 

|| 

«    ^8* 

^; 

"o 

jj  <u  b  to 

j 

?§ 

"o"© 
.25  .2 

** 

|I| 

1    1^ 
I     gfl 

£  £    w  >  ^ 

s§ 

8.1 

q^ 

Blackheac 

CQ  -2  -2*0 
0      UUU 

Cloacitis 
Constipat 

Coccidios 
Coccidios 

OJ 
u 

•5 

15 


POULTRY  DISEASES   AND   THEIR  TREATMENT 


!•!•  Jl   s 

1              | 

iljls  | 

o     i 

TREATMENT 

I1!!  if  : 

—  to  >  O.TJ  a       <o 

rii'sl    i 

o£  £  o~  2 
•o      u  u  o  «     "a 

3           c 

i  5-§    ^ 

*      Sb,o          £ 

°    i-S      -i 

•*•    *g  s       ^ 

«          1 

!.i  « 

u  a     ^ 

°2»  *^  «  u      5  ji 

«    1&   .?"~5 

.l§g-gx§: 

l^^l     3« 

y       W  >•      i>  'S 

S  25  «  If     g  g 

g   °-s   g  « 

s^l§£S 

(2          ^5      5      HK 

u    w        uo 

uzxzu 

2  :    *  :  : 

'.         '.             '    ' 

:  :  :  :  : 

a 

o    •        o>    •     • 

'5   '   ' 
12    •      c    •    • 

4     :        :  ; 

s  i  i  i  i 

0 

D      "         "*      '    rt* 

d!        *  * 

o    •    •    •    • 

cu 
g 

^    ^        :  * 

g    £       :  : 

•a    :    :    :  n. 

1  :£»2 

W 

'S      •    g    S    S    to 

<n        a            &>    • 

^-g     ||° 

4  o  -P  y  u 

O             °*                     rt       " 

So  WJ  3  "o  •*-*  £ 

< 
R 
• 

M    .  T3   u   Jj   O 

c  :  ^  9  *>  sc 

«   °     1- 

l"l*is 

• 

2        «c^^-£- 

So         ^  o 

.2  .S     —  •  w  c 

x 

O                 Q.  0>           O           "^ 

^   -^^   C  *ett   ^ 

U 

|     s«ll5i 

"°     8        I« 

£.£      -g-a 
«  «  S  &«-S 

I     II  I  °  I  i 

S     «       3  1 

5          £      5o3      D 

C/3       Q             Q>- 

1111^5 

•o    •    • 

'•3-5             :     :  :     : 

:     :    g  :  : 

J3      •      • 

:::::: 

fl:      MM 

:7  :    g-  :  : 

•    •  "           CJ    •    • 

2     •  JC                4)      •      • 

i?    :::*•: 

u 

9 

°'5^             :     :        : 

u   C   H>             ^~"    '     ' 

o     :  :  :  :  : 

•So  ^             :     :        : 

.2.2  «          o.  •    : 

u     •  o,  :  :  : 

Q 

Jtel^       *           i       •           • 

jSJjj       «  :  i 

8  8«|  :  :  : 

0  13  .2                                        •   .         T3 
WC    CO     .   3                            •   b        C 

i:i?4  I  s-i  i 

|l|-  2        -     II    S 

—  So-c          -  o    ' 

M    4>    D.  (,          S  •=    <0 

•-  *a  >^--     .2  *j  o 

|^|fj| 

Q      U     U         O      QQ     W 

tStS^o    EC- 

^3oo£^5 

16 


SYMPTOMS  AND  TREATMENT 


£    8 

o    '5 

i  f  i  i   1    *  i  i-  - 

•s  •§!:  §          i    |i"! 

s  --i  :       r.  stil  •< 

3 
D 

J 

1 

H 
H 

f- 

Kill  affected  birds;  disinf 
houses,  etc. 
Proper  feeding;  thorough  c 
difficult  to  control. 

'*      c  a     "§                         a        C<"04)Co< 
a    E  I     •-                             W)'a  M 

.«'M     •"                   8       la'5"     ^ 
l|.s|    3    |.£8      1  1    |g|a  .! 

jrl-^fill^l1     ^1    1^°^!? 

Pli||l|i^     i^  Pi^M 

J      X      CflQ      WOS               Q           W      Q           Q 

5 
i 

2~T 

>  J 

J  « 
i  ° 

!      c3 

..S    .    .  w    .              .       MTJ    •  J-  ;    . 

•  >>  •   •  '-3   •          •     -a  .S   •  S   ' 

SYMPTOMS 

C        -C 

2      3 

:    -     :l     ill       I    Is  :«1 

j  f  ;:  iii   jj  ||  i: 

f    «  |i     :"l      !    l-s    ^ 

EXTERNAL 

Wasting  away;  Ian 

Dullness;  many  de 
rhea  

c      e     H     !.S£         -g     f  |      8l      ! 

1  I  Jjlfjl   J  gsaf;  i 

c/3     Q     MD-      Pw             O     O          3          tt 

|?a  i     :      ^ 

:          :        :             : 

DISEASE 

;ases  affecting  organs 
n  and  reproduction  —  C 
rculosis  

e  diarrhea  of  chickens 
?ases  affecting  legs  an 

:       ig          :    g 
§        •  •    il      ji  :    I 

I    a    I       1  1       I        ?                 I 

&%  i  z 

1    1    11     »|       |8     &       8       S 

CO     U      U.O      J«          ^U,      O          J          ^ 

17 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 


<U 


O 

CJ 


C/) 


a 


and 
oint 


^ag       *o       «|~~       %SI§       g       ISsE 
IIS     1'5       lg.5>£      IS8?!  ^0-S1 

5w^    w       «    o       JC^ZH^    z    £zpuo 

|  .*    .        .        .  a      « 

...2      o 

O     *,  x-3        '        -o 

o  £  -°        •        I  ** 

2  £  _  •  •  —  <0  £    W 

•  ja          **^j 

c  2^       •      1"      '"- 

0  •        JS       £.2         gr,  3          •         §   3 
.o*-                                       aj                    •O'O1*..  ^c 

_          Q.  O 

_  g1-^         IT  ^^^hr6*         >,  <0 

•o  a~      g          c  ^  'o  £     J5  'S  M.S  "g      x  jj  "g  t<  ^H  = 

*  S  a    «>    ^cS'^M^    "wS^Ea    <UM«4>'£^ 

C3X          C         «fe.-  o  ^OCO  "^^         O    3  ^    O    C  "^ 

.SfflUJ      D      03  _l  (^_iWCt:. 

1  !    I  "**  '. 

:. :  :|  : 

Mill  iiiiltn  i 

*o    I 

1^-5  :s  :  ••:::««:    S 

«3sl_.  :  3  :     •  :2^2      s 


w 


:-! 

ff.Sc 


.-.  . 

«  DQ  UJ  U.  O  I  -J 


18 


CHAPTER  III 

DISEASES  OF  POULTRY  OTHER  THAN  FOWLS 

ALL  classes  of  domestic  poultry  are  to 
a  great  extent  subject  to  the  same  dis- 
eases that  affect  the  common  fowl.  The 
symptoms  of  such  diseases  are  for  the  most 
part  similar  to  those  noticed  when  fowls  are 
affected,  and  treatment  must  be  on  the  same 
lines.  In  the  management  of  turkeys, 
ducks,  geese,  guinea  fowls  and  pigeons,  the 
strictest  sanitary  measures  must  be  enforced, 
as  in  the  rearing  of  fowls. 

Owing  to  its  importance,  blackhead  of 
turkeys  is  dealt  with  separately.  It  is  one 
of  the  most  serious  of  poultry  diseases  and 
causes  heavy  losses  to  turkey  rearers.  Care- 
ful study  should  be  made  of  the  reports  of 
the  recent  investigations  at  the  Rhode  Island 
Experiment  Station. 

Severe  epidemics  of  diarrhea  or  cholera 
occur  among  all  classes  of  poultry.  Geese 
are  subject  to  a  form  of  cholera  that  appears 

19 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 


to  be  different  from  any  kind  that  attacks 
fowls.  Water  fowl  are  not  commonly  in- 
fested with  external  parasites.  Pigeons,  on 
the  other  hand,  are  worried  by  fleas  and 
ticks  as  well  as  mites.  Smallpox  of  pigeons 
is  similar  to  chicken  pox  of  fowls,  but  pus- 
tular swellings  may  be  found  on  the  rump 
and  the  cloaca  of  the  pigeon  as  well  as  on  the 
head.  The  scaly  leg  mite  attacks  turkeys 
and  the  gape  worm  is  sometimes  a  serious 
pest  of  poults.  Below  is  given  a  list  of 
some  of  the  diseases  of  turkeys,  ducks,  geese, 
guinea  fowls  and  pigeons: 


TURKEYS 


Blackhead 

Diphtheria 

Gapes 

Leg  weakness 

Lice 

Mites 


Roup 

Tuberculosis 
Scaly  leg 
White  comb 
Worms 


DUCKS 

Aspergillosis  Diphtheria 

Catarrh  Lice 

Congestion  of  lungs  Mites 

Cholera  Worms 
2O 


DISEASES   OF   POULTRY  OTHER  THAN   FOWLS 

GEESE 

Aspergillosis  Lice 

Cholera  Mites 

Congestion  of  lungs  Worms 
Diphtheria 

GUINEA   FOWLS 

Aspergillosis  Lice 

Cholera  Mites 

Diphtheria  Worms 

PIGEONS 

Aspergillosis  Flea 

Canker  Lice 

Chicken  pox  (smallpox)  Mites 

Diphtheria  Ticks 

Dovecot  bug  Worms 


21 


CHAPTER  IV 

DISEASES  AND  PESTS  OF  FOWLS 

Abscesses. 

Abnormal  eggs  (see  Oviduct  diseases). 
Air  under  skin   (see  Emphysema). 
Air  sac  mite  (see  Mites,  air  sac). 
Anaemia. 
Apoplexy. 
Aspergillosis. 

Atrophy  of  liver  (see  Liver  diseases). 
Bacterial  enteritis   (see  Diarrhea). 
Baldness   (see  Favus). 
Biliary  repletion  (see  Jaundice). 
Blackhead  of  turkeys. 
Breakdown. 

Broken  limbs  (see  Fractures). 
Bronchitis. 
Brooder  pneumonia. 
Bumblefoot. 

Cancer  (see  Liver  diseases  and  Ovary  diseases). 
Canker   (see  Diphtheria). 
Catarrh  (see  Cold). 
Catarrh,  contagious  (see  Roup). 
Catarrh  of  crop. 

Catarrh  of  stomach  (see  Gastritis). 
22 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

Chicken  pox. 

Cholera. 

Cloacitis. 

Coccidiosis  of  adult  fowls. 

Coccidiosis  of  chickens  (see  Brooder  pneumonia) 

Coccidiosis  of  turkeys  (see  Blackhead). 

Cold. 

Congestion  of  the  liver  (see  Liver  diseases). 

Congestion  of  the  lungs  (see  Pneumonia). 

Conjunctivitis  (see  Roup). 

Constipation. 

Cramp. 

Crop-bound. 

Crop,  soft  (see  Soft  crop). 

Crop,  Catarrh  of. 

Depluming  mite. 

Diarrhea,  bacterial. 

Diarrhea,  mycotic. 

Diarrhea,  protozoan. 

Diarrhea,  simple. 

Diarrhea,  severe. 

Diarrhea,  white. 

Diphtheria. 

Diphtheritic  roup. 

Dislocations   (see  Fractures). 

Dropsy. 

Dysentery. 

Egg-bound. 

Egg-eating. 

23 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 

Emphysema. 

Enlargement  of  heart  (see  Heart,  diseases  of). 

Enlargement  of  liver  (see  Liver  diseases). 

Enlargement  of  kidneys  (see  Kidney  diseases). 

Enteritis  (see  Diarrhea). 

Entero-hepatitis  (see  Blackhead). 

Epilepsy. 

Fatty  degeneration. 

Favus. 

Feather-eating. 

Fits  (see  Epilepsy). 

Fleas. 

Fowl  typhoid. 

Fractures. 

Frost  bite. 

Gangrenous  Ovary   (see  Ovary  diseases). 

Gapes. 

Gastritis. 

Going  light  (see  Anaemia). 

Gout. 

Grippe  (see  Cold). 

Heart,  diseases  of. 

Heart,  dropsy  of. 

Heart,  enlargement  of. 

Heart,  rupture. 

Hypertrophy  of  the  liver  (see  Liver  diseases). 

Impaction  of  the  crop  (see  Crop-bound). 

Indigestion. 

Influenza  (see  Cold). 

24 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

Jaundice. 

Kidney  diseases. 

Leg  weakness. 

Leukemia  (see  Cholera). 

Lice. 

Limber-neck. 

Liver  diseases. 

Lungs,  congestion  of  (see  Pneumonia). 

Maggots. 

Mites,  air  sac. 

Mites,  depluming. 

Mites,  red. 

Mites,  scaly  leg  (see  Scaly  leg). 

Molting. 

Nodular  tasniasis  (see  Worms). 

Ovary  diseases. 

Oviduct  diseases. 

Peritonitis. 

piP. 

Pneumonia. 

Poisoning. 

Prolapse  of  oviduct  (see  Oviduct  diseases). 

Puffed  skin  (see  Emphysema). 

Pyaemia. 

Rheumatism. 

Roup. 

Scabies  (see  Mites,  depluming). 

Scaly  leg. 

25 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR   TREATMENT 

Soft  crop. 

Sore  head  (see  Chicken  pox). 

Ticks. 

Tuberculosis. 

Vertigo  (see  Apoplexy). 

White  comb  (see  Favus). 

White  diarrhea  of  chickens. 

Worms. 

ABSCESSES 
Not  a  common  poultry  complaint 

Symptoms.  The  flesh  becomes  inflamed 
and  swollen  and  forms  a  "head"  containing 
pus. 

Cause.  A  scratch  or  a  small  injury  fol- 
lowed by  inflammation  due  to  pus-forming 
organisms. 

Treatment.  Lance  the  abscess  when 
"ripe"  with  a  clean,  sharp  knife,  cutting  low 
so  that  the  sore  may  drain  readily.  Squeeze 
out  the  pus;  wash  with  i%  carbolic  acid  or 
creolin  and  dress  with  creolin  and  sweet  oil 
(half  and  half)  until  healed. 

The  most  common  abscess  is  that  which 
forms  on  the  pad  of  the  foot  and  develops 
into  bumblefoot. 

26 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 
ANAEMIA,  OR  GOING  LIGHT 

A  condition  that  should  incite  the  poultryman  to  investigate 
the  cause 

Symptoms.  Birds  lose  weight,  or  "go 
light,"  without  any  apparent  reason. 

Cause.  A  general  lack  of  thriftiness  in 
the  flock  may  be  due  to  insufficient  or  poor 
food,  to  lack  of  exercise, or  to  bad  ventilation 
of  houses;  lice  or  mites  may  be  infesting  the 
birds.  On  the  other  hand,  birds  may  gradu- 
ally lose  weight  as  the  result  of  some  such 
disease  as  tuberculosis  (see  page  90,  as- 
pergillosis  (see  page  29),  or  worms  (see 
page  94) . 

Treatment.  Make  any  changes  in  feed- 
ing or  management  that  may  appear  desir- 
able. Search  at  night  for  mites  or  lice  on 
the  birds;  in  the  daytime  examine  the 
straw  in  nest  boxes,  the  roosts,  and  the 
cracks  and  crevices  of  the  woodwork  for 
parasites.  Much  time  may  often  be  saved 
in  discovering  what  is  wrong  with  the  flock 
by  killing  one  or  more  of  the  affected  birds 

27 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

• 
and  making  a  post-mortem  examination  to 

discover  if  a  specific  disease  is  the  cause. 
APOPLEXY 

Not  a  common  trouble 

Symptoms.  Staggering  gait  and  bewil- 
dered appearance;  bird  generally  drops 
dead  suddenly. 

Cause.  Attributed  to  high  feeding  or 
over-laying. 

Treatment.  There  is  usually  no  time  for 
treatment,  but  if  the  attack  is  mild,  put  the 
bird  in  a  dark  place  and  give  no  food  for  a 
few  hours ;  give  a  dose  of  Epsom  salts  and 
add  green  food  to  diet.  Bleeding  from 
under  a  wing  i$  sometimes  tried. 

Post-mortem  examination  shows  clotted 
blood  on  the  brain,  the  other  organs  being 
normal. 

The  name  vertigo  is  applied  to  congestion 
of  the  brain  as  distinct  from  apoplexy  due 
to  hemorrhage  of  the  brain.  The  fowl  has 
fits.  It  is  difficult  to  distinguish  this  disease 
from  epilepsy  (see  page  55).  The  cause 
is  little  understood. 

28 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 


ASPERGILLOSIS 

A  disease  that  exists  more  commonly  than  is  usually  suspected, 
and  is  the  cause  of  the  death  of  large  numbers  of 
young  chickens 

Symptoms.  Fowls  gradually  lose  weight, 
mope,  and  die  without  any  pronounced  ail- 
ment except  difficulty  in  breathing.  In 
adults  the  disease  may  be  mistaken  for 
tuberculosis  and  in  chickens  for  white 
diarrhea.  Aspergillosis  of  chickens  is  dealt 
with  under  brooder  pneumonia.  Post-mor- 
tem symptoms  are  whitish 
or  yellowish  growths  on  the 
windpipe,  that  can  only  be 
definitely  diagnosed  under 
the  microscope. 

Cause.  A  fungoid  growth 
in  the  windpipe  and  bron- 
chial tubes,  sometimes  ex- 
tending to  the  lungs  and 
liver.  Fig.  8  shows  the 
spores  and  filaments  of  the 
species  of  aspergillosis 
most  commonly  responsible 


Fic.7. — HEAD  SHOWING 
BRAIN   EXPOSED 


29 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR   TREATMENT 


FIG.    8.— ASPERGILLOSIS 
On  left — Windpipe  cut  open.      On  right — A  fungus  that  causes  aspergillosis 


for  this  disease.     Infection  may  be  due  to 
musty  grain  or  dirty  straw. 

Treatment.  No  medicines  are  of  any 
avail.  Protection  lies  in  not  using  musty 
grain  or  moldy  litter.  Burn  dead  birds. 


BLACKHEAD  OF  TURKEYS 

A  'very  serious  disease,  making  the  successful  rearing  of 
turkeys  difficult  and  in  some  cases  impossible 

Symptoms.  Young  turkeys,  or  poults, 
are  most  commonly  attacked;  there  is  loss 
of  weight  and  loss  of  appetite;  the  bird 
appears  listless  and  stands  by  itself  with 

3° 


DISEASES  AND  PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

drooping  wings  and  tail.  Diarrhea  is  gen- 
erally one  of  the  symptoms.  The  comb 
often  turns  a  dark  purple — a  symptom  that 
has  given  rise  to  the  name  blackhead. 
Death  generally  follows  an  attack  fairly 
rapidly,  but  in  some  cases  the  disease  may 
take  a  chronic  form,  while  it  is  believed 
that  recovery  is  occasionally  effected. 

Post-mortem  symptoms.  The  caeca  (see 
Fig.  32)  are  enlarged,  are  diseased  in  parts, 
and  are  more  or  less  plugged  with  cheesy 
matter  and  pus.  The  liver  is  diseased, 
being  sometimes  very  much  enlarged  and 
covered  with  yellowish  necrotic  areas,  gen- 
erally depressed  in  the  centre  (see  Fig.  24^) . 
In  cases  of  an  acute  attack,  especially  in 
young  birds,  one  of  the  caeca  only  may  be 
affected  and  the  liver  may  not  be  invaded. 
The  extent  of  the  necrotic  areas  and  the 
degree  of  the  enlargement  of  the  infected 
organs  may  vary  greatly  in  different  cases. 

Cause.  The  cause  of  blackhead  has  been 
shown  by  Drs.  Cole  and  Hadley  to  be  a 
coccidium.  A  full  account  of  their  work 
is  published  in  Bulletin  141  of  the  Rhode 

31 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 

Island  Experiment  Station.  Coccidia  enter 
the  digestive  tract  of  the  healthy  turkey  by 
means  of  food  or  water  infected  by  the 
excrement  of  a  sick  bird.  The  organisms 
pass  along  the  alimentary  canal  until  they 
reach  the  caeca,  the  lining  of  which  they 
attack,  giving  rise  to  the  conditions  men- 
tioned under  post-mortem  symptoms.  How 
the  infection  spreads  from  the  caeca  to  the 
liver  is  not  clear. 

It  has  been  conclusively  proved  that 
fowls,  as  well  as  pigeons,  sparrows,  etc.,  act 
as  hosts  for  these  parasites.  Although 
adult  fowls  have  a  great  degree  of  resistance 
themselves,  they  are  a  means  of  carrying 
infection  to  turkeys. 

Eggs  may  be  one  of  the  means  of  spread- 
ing the  disease,  as  they  may  become  con- 
taminated in  the  oviduct  or  the  cloaca  of 
birds  affected  with  blackhead. 

Treatment.     No  remedy  or  satisfactory 

method  of  prevention  has  been  discovered. 

The  difficulty  of  effecting  a  cure  is  obvious 

when    the   nature    of    the    disease    is    con- 

32 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

sidered.     Drs.  Cole  and  Hadley  summarize 
measures  of  prevention  as  follows: 

1.  Protect  the  yards  and  flocks  which  may  have  the  good 
fortune  to  be  uninfected  with  the  blackhead  organism  by  a 
thorough    examination    of    all    new    stock,    whether    turkeys, 
fowls,  geese  or  other  domestic  birds. 

2.  Keep  the  turkeys  on  grounds  which  are  as  fresh  as 
can   be   obtained,    and    above    all,   keep   them   isolated    from 
fowls   and  other  domestic  birds. 

3.  Keep  every  turkey  in  the  flock  under  close  observa- 
tion in  order  to  separate  and  at  once  isolate  any  bird  which 
gives  evidence  of  the  disease.     To  facilitate   such  observa- 
tions it  is  helpful  to  leg-band  each  individual,  and  to  record 
its  weight  from  time  to  time.     Such  a  course  makes  it  pos- 
sible to  learn  whether  any  birds  are  losing  weight,  and  if 
this  is  the  case,  these  birds  must  be  regarded  with  suspicion, 
and  separated  from  the  rest  of  the  flock. 

4.  If  it  is  known  that  blackhead  is  present  in  any  of  the 
poultry,  the  yard  should  be  kept  free  from  English  sparrows, 
and  the  poultry  houses  and  grain  boxes  from  rats  and  mice, 
which  have  been  shown  to  carry  the  causative  organism. 

5.  When   it   is   desired   to    fatten   birds   for   the  market, 
begin   to  increase  the   rations  gradually.     Never   attempt  to 
fatten  birds  which,  in  successive  weighings,  show  a  loss  of 
weight.     Overfeeding    does    not    cause    blackhead,    but    fre- 
quently causes  the  sudden  death  of  birds  in  which  blackhead 
is  present. 

6.  When    birds    have    died    of    blackhead,    their    bodies 
should  be  promptly  burned  or  buried  in  order  to  prevent  the 
dissemination  of  the  coccidia,  either  through  the  ravages  of 
rats  or  skunks,  or  consequent  to  the  natural  processes  of  decay. 

BREAKDOWN 

Not  often  seen  in  the  poultry  yard 

Symptoms.     The  abdomen  becomes  en- 
33 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

larged,  hangs  down  at  the  back,  and  some- 
times touches  the  ground. 

Cause.  Old  layers  are  generally  affected. 
The  cause  may  be  the  strain  of  heavy 
laying,  or  may  in  cases  be  due  to  too  much 
internal  fat. 

Treatment.  No  satisfactory  treatment 
can  be  recommended  and  the  bird  had  best 
be  killed.  Such  birds  should  not  be  used 
for  breeding  purposes. 

BRONCHITIS   (CROUP) 

Not  very  common 

Symptoms.  Bronchitis  may  be  distin- 
guished by  the  rattling  in  the  throat  of  the 
bird  affected  and  by  the  rapid  breathing  and 
cough.  The  rattling  is  due  to  mucus  in 
the  inflamed  bronchial  tubes.  In  bad  cases, 
birds  mope,  refuse  to  eat,  and  soon  die. 

Cause.  Bronchitis  may  develop  from  an 
ordinary  cold,  or  may  be  due  to  sudden 
changes  of  temperature,  or  to  exposure  to 
rain,  cold,  and  damp. 

Treatment.      Keep    affected    bird    away 

34 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

from  drafts  and  in  a  warm  place;  dose 
with  Epsom  salts  (see  page  9)  and  give 
soft  food,  e.  g.,  bread,  bran,  and  middlings, 
with  milk.  Wine  of  ipecacuanha  has  been 
recommended  for  cases  in  which  breathing 
is  very  difficult  owing  to  excessive  inflam- 
mation. 

BROODER  PNEUMONIA 
A  'very  serious  disease,  causing  the  death  of  many  chickens 

Symptoms.  Chickens  affected  stand  by 
themselves  with  roughened  plumage. 
There  is  a  whitish  diarrhea,  and  this  disease 
can  easily  be  mistaken  for  white  diarrhea. 
(See  page  92.)  Post-mortem  examination 
will  show  yellowish  spots  on  the  lungs,  on 
the  walls  of  the  air  sacs,  and  on  the  liver  and 
other  organs,  due  to  infection  by  the  asper- 
gillus  fungus.  (See  page  29.) 

Cause.  Infection  by  a  species  of  the  as- 
pergillus  fungus,  the  spores  of  which  are 
probably  inhaled.  This  fungus  is  common. 
The  spores  may  be  in  the  straw  used  for 
nests  or  for  litter,  or  in  the  food,  especially 
if  it  is  at  all  moldy. 

35 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

Treatment.  There  is  no  cure  for  an  af- 
fected chicken,  and  the  poultryman  must  aim 
at  prevention.  Vigorous  sanitary  measures 
are  imperative.  Clean  straw  or  excelsior 
should  be  used  for  nests;  eggs  for  hatching 
should  be  disinfected  by  wiping  with  80% 
alcohol;  incubators  and  brooders  should  be 
thoroughly  disinfected. 

BUMBLEFOOT 

Not  serious  if  treated  early 

Symptoms.  Lameness  with  swelling  on 
pad  of  foot. 

Cause.     Injury  to  sole  of  foot,  developing 


FIG.  9.— BUMBLEFOOT 

36 


DISEASES  AND  PESTS  OF  FOWLS 

into  an  abscess.  Heavy  birds  are  more  sub- 
ject than  light  ones  to  bumblefoot,  especially 
if  made  to  roost  on  perches  that  are  too  high. 
Treatment.  Paint  with  iodine.  Lance 
the  abscess  if  it  is  sufficiently  advanced. 
Lower  perches.  Birds  under  treatment 
should  have  their  feet  bandaged,  and  should 
be  put  on  deep  straw  to  prevent  further  in- 
jury while  the  wounds  are  healing.  Not 
serious  if  taken  in  hand  promptly. 

CATARRH  OF  THE  CROP 

Not  a  common  trouble 

Symptoms.  Distention  of  crop  with  soft 
pasty  matter  of  a  more  or  less  offensive 
character. 

Cause.  Eating  stale,  putrifying  food  or 
some  poisonous  matter. 

Treatment.  Empty  the  bird's  crop  by 
holding  the  head  downwards  and  gently 
pressing  the  contents  out  through  the  mouth. 
Feed  sparingly  on  soft  food. 

37 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 


CHICKEN  POX  OR  SORE  HEAD 

An   infectious  disease   that   causes   considerable   loss   among 
chickens  and  young  birds  in  n^arm  climates 

Symptoms.  Small,  scabby,  wart-like 
growths  and  eruptions  on  the  head,  espe- 
cially on  the  comb  and  the  wattles  and 
around  the  eyes — in  bad  cases  extending  to 
the  lids  and  even  the  mouth.  Chickens  and 
young  birds  are  most  commonly  attacked 
by  this  disease,  which  spreads  rapidly. 


FIG.    10.— CHICKEN   POX 


Cause.  The  specific  organism  has  not 
been  definitely  determined.  Chicken  pox 
may  be  started  by  the  introduction  of  an 

38 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

infected  bird,  and  mosquitoes  and  other  in- 
sects are  suspected  of  being  agents  in  its 
spread. 

Treatment.  Prompt  treatment  may  be 
very  successful.  Isolate  affected  birds. 
Apply  tincture  of  iodine,  first  scraping  off 
the  scabs.  Creolin  2%,  or  other  disinfect- 
ants, may  be  used  instead  of  iodine.  Dirty 
coops  are  a  contributing  cause,  and  cleanli- 
ness of  chicken  runs  and  houses  is  important. 
Disinfect  soil  (see  page  13)  and  wood- 
work (see  page  12)  regularly  and  with 
extra  care  when  the  first  cases  are  noticed. 
When  roupy  lesions  develop,  as  is  sometimes 
the  case,  treat  as  for  roup.  (See  page  83.) 

CHOLERA 

A  serious  and  epidemic  form  of  diarrhea  for  which  no 
remedy  is  known 

Symptoms.  Fowls  die  suddenly  with 
apparently  little  reason.  There  are  symp- 
toms of  diarrhea  and  examination  shows 
that  the  feces  are  a  bright  yellow  or  green 
instead  of  the  normal  color.  Before  death, 
fowls  have  fever  and  may  be  seen  moping 
39 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND   THEIR  TREATMENT 

and  showing  evidences  of  distress.  For 
post-mortem  symptoms  see  page  112. 

Cause.  A  contagious  disease,  due  to 
bacteria,  that,  owing  to  infection  of  soil  and 
drinking  water  by  birds  suffering  from  the 
disease,  spreads  rapidly  through  a  flock. 
It  is  often  introduced  by  the  purchase  of  an 
infected  bird  that  appears  at  the  time  of 
purchase  to  be  well. 

Treatment.  Prevention  by  strict  sani- 
tary measures  is  what  must  be  aimed  at.  It 
is  believed  that  no  cure  is  known  for  gen- 
uine cases  of  cholera.  Isolate  all  new  birds 
brought  into  the  flock,  especially  when 
cases  of  cholera  are  reported  in  the  neigh- 
borhood. The  bodies  of  birds  that  have 
died  of  this  disease  are  best  burnt  without 
delay.  The  germ  of  cholera  appears  to  be 
both  persistent  and  easily  spread,  and  too 
much  stress  cannot  be  laid  on  the  necessity 
of  preventing  its  introduction,  failing  that, 
of  quickly  stamping  it  out.  The  sacrifice 
of  a  few  birds  to  prevent  the  spread  of  the 
disease  will  be  well  repaid,  for  it  has  been 
necessary  on  occasions  to  kill  a  whole  flock. 
40 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

In  some  cases  it  has  been  found  best  to  move 
unaffected  birds  to  new  quarters. 

Fowl  typhoid,  or  leukemia,  is  a  disease 
of  the  blood  that  may  be  mistaken  for 
cholera.  The  poultryman  must  treat  it  in 
the  same  way. 

CLOACITIS  OR  VENT-GLEET 

Not  a  common  disease 

Symptoms.  Frequent  small  discharges 
of  excrement  and  unsuccessful  efforts  to 
discharge  when  the  cloaca  (Fig.  32)  is 
empty,  the  mucous  membrane  of  which  be- 
comes hot  and  inflamed.  These  symptoms 
are  soon  followed  by  an  offensive  discharge. 

Cause.  A  specific  disease  transmitted 
from  hen  to  hen  by  the  agency  of  the  cock. 

Treatment.  Immediately  isolate  affected 
hens;  syringe  out  cloaca  twice  daily  with 
2%  creolin;  give  mild  purgative  and  put 
on  soft  food.  Males  likely  to  be  affected 
should  be  examined,  and  diseased  birds 
killed. 

Caution.     The  hands  should  be  carefull 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 

cleansed  and  disinfected,  as  a  serious  in- 
flammation will  result  if  the  eyes  are  rubbed 
with  infected  hands.  This  is  a  troublesome 
and  risky  disease  to  treat. 

COCCIDIOSIS  OF  ADULT  FOWLS 

The  germ  of  this  disease  does  not  usually  affect  adult  fowls 
seriously,  but  causes  severe  losses  among  chickens  and 
turkeys 

Symptoms.  The  external  symptoms  are 
not  very  pronounced ;  there  is  loss  of  weight 
and  in  some  cases  diarrhea.  The  disease 
may  last  for  a  long  time  and  birds  may  even 
recover.  A  post-mortem  examination 
shows  the  walls  of  the  caeca  thickened  and 
rilled  with  a  pasty  mass,  while  character- 
istic whitish  or  yellowish  spots  (see  Fig. 
24,  d)  are  found  in  the  liver. 

Cause.  This  disease  is  due  to  the  same 
germ  (a  coccidium)  that  causes  blackhead 
in  turkeys.  Adult  fowls  occasionally  de- 
velop this  disease,  but  appear  to  be  able,  as 
a  rule,  to  act  as  a  host  for  the  germs  without 
being  themselves  affected,  although  heavy 
42 


DISEASES  AND  PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

losses  occur  among  turkeys  or  chickens  that 
get  the  germ  from  them. 

Treatment.  Copperas  in  the  drinking 
water  (three  grains  to  a  quart)  has  been 
recommended,  together  with  the  occasional 
use  of  calomel  in  one-grain  doses,  or  one  or 
two  teaspoonfuls  of  castor  oil.  Thorough 
disinfection  (see  page  10)  of  houses  and 
runs,  etc.,  where  affected  fowls  have  been, 
is  important.  Burn  the  bodies  of  birds  that 
die  of  the  disease. 

COLD  (SIMPLE  CATARRH) 

Dangerous,  because  it  may  be  confused  with  the  early  stages 
of  roup 

Symptoms.  Discharge  from  the  nostrils 
and  the  eyes,  with  occasional  fits  of  sneez- 
ing; loss  of  appetite,  and  moping. 

Cause.  Cold  and  damp.  Colds  most 
frequently  occur  in  wet  weather  and  among 
poorly  housed  and  poorly  fed  stock. 

Treatment.  Warm  housing  and  protec- 
tion from  cold  and  wet.  Give  quinine — 
one  grain  to  an  adult  fowl.  Many  believe 
in  dosing  fowls  suffering  from  colds  with 

43 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 

red  pepper  given  in  the  food.  When  there 
are  signs  of  stuffiness,  the  eyes  and  the  nos- 
trils should  be  washed  out  once  or  twice 
daily.  Carbolic  acid  2%,  or  boric  acid, 
about  3%,  dissolved  in  water,  is  recom- 
mended for  this  purpose.  Witch  hazel  has 
been  found  very  effective. 

Caution.  There  is  a  risk  of  mistaking 
the  early  stages  of  roup  for  a  simple  cold. 
Further,  birds  are  more  likely  to  contract 
roup  when  suffering  from  a  cold,  and 
should,  on  this  account,  be  isolated  and 
regularly  examined. 

Influenza.  The  term  influenza,  or 
grippe,  is  generally  applied  to  a  severe  cold 
that  has  no  symptoms  of  roup. 

CONSTIPATION 

Not  common  and  seldom  serious 

Symptoms.  The  bird  suffering  is  dull 
and  listless.  Its  efforts  to  evacuate  are 
painful  and  unsuccessful. 

Cause.  Internal  blocking  of  the  cloaca 
or  the  intestines,  or,  occasionally,  of  the 

44 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

vent  by  dirt  accumulated  on  the  outside. 
Want  of  exercise  and  lack  of  green  food  are 
held  to  be  contributing  causes. 

Treatment.  If  constipation  is  due  to  dirt 
on  the  outside,  cleanse  vent  by  swabbing 
with  warm  water.  When  stoppage  is  in- 
side and  can  be  felt  through  the  vent 
syringe  with  sweet  oil.  In  other  cases,  give 
a  purgative  such  as  castor  oil  or  Epsom 
salts.  If  worms  are  suspected  as  the  cause, 
give  santonin  (see  page  9),  followed  by  a 
teaspoonful  of  castor  oil. 

CRAMP 

Must  not  be  confused  'with  more  serious  complaints 

Symptoms.  Difficulty  in  standing  and 
lameness,  due  to  inflammation  of  muscles 
and  joints. 

Cause.     Damp  and  cold. 

Treatment.  Put  legs  of  bird  in  warm 
water;  rub  joints  with  embrocation  and  put 
in  dry  quarters. 

NOTE — In  cases  of  rheumatism,  tick  fever, 

45 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

i 

and  tuberculosis,  birds  may  show  the  same 
difficulty  in  standing  that  they  do  in  cramp. 

CROP-BOUND    (IMPACTION   OF   CROP) 
Not  serious,  as  a  rule 

Symptoms.  The  crop  is  hard  and 
swollen. 

Cause.  The  blocking  of  the  passage 
from  the  crop  to  the  gizzard  by  a  bit  of 
stick  or  a  stone,  with  the  result  that  the 
food  cannot  pass  out  of  the  crop. 

Treatment. — Pour  sweet  oil  down  fowl's 
throat;  work  the  crop  with  the  fingers,  en- 
deavoring to  remove  the  obstructing  object. 
If  unsuccessful,  cut  open  the  crop  and  re- 
move the  contents,  making  sure  that  the 
opening  into  the  gizzard  is  clear.  Sew  up 
the  cut  made,  stitching  separately  first  the 
inner  skin  and  then  the  outer. 

DIARRHEA  OR  ENTERITIS 

May  take  a  serious  and  epidemic  form 

Diarrhea  is  a  common  complaint  among 
fowls,  and  in  some  cases  takes  a  severe  and 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

epidemic  form.  The  latter  form  may  be 
due  to  various  causes,  and  it  will  be  best, 
perhaps,  to  deal  with  diarrhea  under  the 
following  heads  : 

1.  Mild  diarrhea. 

2.  Epidemic  and  severe  diarrhea. 

3.  Dysentery.      (See  page  52.) 

4.  Cholera.      (See  page  39.) 

5.  White  diarrhea  of  chickens.    (See 

page  92.) 

Mild  Diarrhea 

Symptoms.  Looseness  of  bowels  and 
staining  of  feathers  around  the  anus  with 
excreta. 

Cause.  Indigestion  caused  by  food 
which  may  be  too  laxative;  e.  g.,  excess  of 
bran,  or,  by  food  which  may  be  partly  de- 
composed or  may  contain  an  intestinal  ir- 
ritant. Cold  may  also  be  a  cause. 

Treatment.  Give  Epsom  salts,  or  castor 
oil.  (See  page  9.)  Change  diet  if  food 
is  suspected.  Often  no  treatment  is  neces- 
sary, but  it  is  not  wise  to  neglect  cases  that 
are  apparently  mild  diarrhea,  for  fear  they 

47 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

may  turn  out  to  be  an  epidemic  and  con- 
tagious form. 

Diarrhea,  Severe  and  Epidemic 

Symptoms.  Excessive  looseness  of 
bowels,  ruffling  of  feathers,  depression,  loss 
of  appetite.  A  number  of  birds  in  the  flock 
are  attacked  and  death  results. 

Cause.  There  are  a  variety  of  causes. 
Scientific  investigation  has  led  to  the  dis- 
covery of  specific  organisms  responsible  for 
various  forms  of  diarrhea.  It  would  be 
well  for  poultry  rearers  to  study  the  results 
of  such  work,  but,  for  the  purposes  of  this 
book,  it  will  be  sufficient  to  state  that  the 
causal  organism  may  be  bacterial,  mycotic, 
or  protozoan.  The  owner  of  poultry  will 
not  usually  be  able  himself  to  determine 
what  type  of  diarrhea  the  fowls  are  suffer- 
ing from,  but  as  a  rule  the  treatment  will 
have  to  be  the  same.  Advice  will  have  to 
be  sought  from  an  expert  when  dangerous 
epidemics  are  feared. 

Treatment.     The   most   energetic   meas- 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

ures   of   disinfection   must  be  undertaken. 
(See  page  10.) 

1.  Isolate  sick  fowls. 

2.  Disinfect  soil  of  run  thoroughly. 

3.  Clean  and  disinfect  coops. 

4.  In  bad  cases,  remove  the  rest  of 

the  flock  from  the  infested  run. 

5.  Give  sick  fowls  Epsom  salts,  or 

castor  oil;  feed  fowls  on  soft 
food. 

6.  If   the  diarrhea   is  not  checked, 

give  6  to   12  drops  of  chloro- 
dyne. 

DIPHTHERIA  OR  DIPHTHERITIC  ROUP 

A  dangerous  disease,  and  infected  birds  should  be  killed 
at  once 

Symptoms.  A  cold,  accompanied  by 
whitish  and  yellowish  patches  on  the  back 
of  the  throat  and  in  the  mouth.  These 
patches  apparently  form  a  false  membrane 
and  cannot  be  torn  off  without  causing 
bleeding.  The  disease  is  sometimes  known 
as  canker. 

49 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 


Cause.  This  disease  is  often  clearly  a 
later  stage  of  roup.  It  is  difficult  to  say 
where  one  ends  and  the  other  begins.  It 
has  been  claimed  that  the  organism  is  the 
same  as  that  which  causes  diphtheria  in 


FIG.   11.— DIPHTHERITIC    ROUP 

b,  lower  beak;  /,  tongue;  m,  false  membrane. 
(After  Harrison   and   Streit.) 

50 


DISEASES  AND  PESTS  OF  FOWLS 

human  beings,  but  the  weight  of  evidence 
is  against  this  conclusion. 

Treatment.  Diphtheria  is  extremely  in- 
fectious. It  is  best  to  kill  the  first  cases  at 
once.  If  the  bird  is  of  particular  value,  it 
may  be  isolated  and  the  patches  on  the 
throat  swabbed  with  50%  hydrogen  per- 
oxide or  5%  creolin,  with  a  small  bit  of 
cotton  wool  wound  around  a  stick.  If 
great  care  is  exercised,  20%  carbolic  acid 
or  20%  creolin  may  be  painted  on  the 
patches,  but  neither  should  be  allowed  to 
touch  the  normal  skin.  Burn  the  swabs. 
Treat  accompanying  roupy  symptoms  as 
recommended  under  roup. 

The  term  canker  is  also  applied  to  cer- 
tain spots  or  growths  that  occur  on  the 
throat.  These  are  not  in  any  way  associ- 
ated with  diphtheritic  roup,  or  any  danger- 
ous, contagious  disease,  and  are  due  to  in- 
jury or  to  an  unhealthy  condition  of  the 
mucous  membrane. 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 

DROPSY 

Not  a  common  disease 

Symptoms.     Distention  of  abdomen. 

Cause.  Collection  of  liquid  in  abdom- 
inal cavity. 

Treatment.  Treatment  is  seldom  success- 
ful. It  is  best  and  most  merciful  to  kill 
the  afflicted  bird.  If  it  is  desired  to  make 
an  effort  to  save  the  bird,  carefully  punc- 
ture the  lower  portion  of  the  abdomen  with 
a  trocar  and  squeeze  out  the  liquid.  Give 
invalid  diet. 

DYSENTERY 

Serious  if  in  epidemic  form 

Symptoms.  Severe  diarrhea  with  blood 
in  the  discharges. 

Cause.  Bacterial  or  other  specific  infec- 
tion of  the  intestines.  Occasionally  the  eat- 
ing of  some  poisonous  or  irritating  sub- 
stance will  give  rise  to  blood  in  the  excre- 
ment. 

Treatment.  Isolate  bird,  and  give  six  to 
eight  drops  of  chlorodyne  on  a  small  piece 
52 


DISEASES   AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

of  bread.  Thorough  disinfection  (see 
page  10)  of  water,  soil  and  house  is  neces- 
sary to  prevent  this  disease  spreading. 

EGG-BOUND 

An  uncommon  complaint 

Symptoms.  The  hen  goes  on  and  off 
the  nest  straining  to  lay.  Generally  the  egg 
may  be  felt  through  the  vent.  After  strain- 
ing for  some  time,  she  may  succeed  in  lay- 
ing the  egg,  and  treatment  should  not  be 
undertaken  until  it  is  evident  that  the  fowl 
needs  assistance. 

Cause.  Very  young  hens  are  more  liable 
to  this  complaint,  which  arises  from  eggs  of 
an  abnormal  size,  from  lack  of  muscular 
power,  or  from  some  other  disorder  of  the 
oviduct. 

Treatment.  It  will  be  most  merciful  to 
kill  fowls  in  much  distress,  as  treatment  is 
tedious  and  painful  to  the  fowl.  It  has 
been  recommended  to  hold  the  fowl's  vent 
over  steam  from  boiling  water  and  then  to 
pass  an  oiled  finger  up  the  vent.  In  bad 

53 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 

cases,  pierce  the  egg  and  withdraw  the  con- 
tents, then  break  the  shell  and  remove  all 
the  pieces.  Great  care  must  be  taken  to 
leave  no  particle  of  the  broken  shell  behind. 

EGG-EATING 

A  bad  habit  that  may  be  controlled 

Symptoms.  If  remains  of  eggs  are  seen 
in  nests  or  runs,  the  poultryman  should  be- 
come suspicious  and  make  observations  to 
prove  whether  any  of  his  flock  are  eating 
eggs. 

Cause.  Broken  eggs  or  soft-shelled  eggs 
left  about  the  yard  may  be  the  cause  of  hens 
acquiring  this  bad  habit. 

Treatment.  All  signs  of  broken  eggs 
should  always  be  immediately  removed. 
The  culprit,  when  detected,  should  be  re- 
moved to  a  different  pen  and  nest.  Dark 
nests  have  been  recommended.  A^trap  nest 
will  prevent  a  hen  from  getting  at  her  egg. 

EMPHYSEMA   (AIR  UNDER  SKIN) 
Not  a  common  disease  of  chickens 

Symptoms.     In  this  disease  of  chickens 

54 


DISEASES   AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

the  skin  becomes  puffed  out  in  one  or  more 
places,  generally  on  the  neck.  In  rare  cases 
the  puffing  spreads  over  nearly  the  whole 
of  the  body. 

Cause.  This  disease  is  evidently  caused 
by  some  obstruction  of  the  air  passages  that 
forces  the  air  to  escape  under  the  skin. 

Treatment.  Let  out  the  air  by  punctur- 
ing the  skin.  Give  soft  and  nourishing 
food.  It  will  probably  be  wiser  not  to  use 
birds  that  recover  from  this  complaint  for 
breeding  stock. 

EPILEPSY 

An   unusual  complaint 

Symptoms.  The  bird  staggers  about  and 
has  a  fit.  It  may  recover. 

Cause.  It  is  difficult  to  discover  a  cause ; 
intestinal  worms  are  suspected  in  some 
cases. 

Treatment.  If  it  is  suspected  that  intes- 
tinal worms  are  responsible,  try  the  treat- 
ment recommended  for  worms.  (See 
page  95.) 

55 


POULTRY   DISEASES   AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 

FATTY  DEGENERATION 

Not  contagious,  but  pointing  to  error  in  diet 

Symptoms. '  More  or  less  sudden  deaths 
of  birds  in  good  condition.  Post-mortem 
examination  shows  an  enlarged  liver  and 
masses  of  fat  attached  to  the  intestines. 

Cause.  Something  wrong  with  the  diet; 
too  much  heat-giving  food  and  want  of  ex- 
ercise. 

Treatment.  Post-mortem  proof  of  fatty 
degeneration  in  the  flock  should  lead  the 
poultry  owner  to  change  the  diet,  reducing 
the  amount  of  heat-giving  food,  and  giving 
more  exercise.  Some  authors  draw  atten- 
tion to  a  fatty  degeneration  in  which  the 
liver  is  shrunken  and  shows  fat  globules 
under  the  microscope. 

FAVUS  (WHITE  COMB) 

Disfiguring,  but  easily  controlled  if  treated  early 

Symptoms.     Whitish  scabs  or  crusts  on 
the  comb,  the  head  and  down  the  neck. 
Cause.     Due  to  a  fungus  that  spreads,  if 

56 


DISEASES  AND  PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

not  treated,  and  that  probably  starts  where 
there  is  an  abrasion  of  the  skin. 

Treatment.  Treat  in  early  stages  of  the 
disease  by  dressing  with  sulphur  ointment. 
(See  page  9.)  Isolate  bird.  If  the  case 
has  been  neglected  and  allowed  to  develop, 
the  crusts  must  first  be  moistened  with  oil 
and  the  surface  scraped  off  with  a  blunt 
instrument.  Then  apply  tincture  of  iodine 
or  nitrate  of  silver. 

FEATHER-EATING 

Not  a  'very  common  habit 

Symptoms.  The  presence  of  bare  patches 
and  injured  plumage  on  birds  should  lead 
the  poultryman  to  watch  for  feather-eaters. 

Cause.  Irritation  from  insects,  some 
defect  in  diet,  or  natural  cussedness. 

Treatment.  Isolate  the  offender,  and,  if 
persistent  and  of  no  special  value,  kill,  for 
fear  the  bad  example  may  be  followed  by 
others.  If  several  fowls  develop  this  vice, 
try  hanging  up  a  bone  for  them  to  peck  at 
and  thus  distract  their  attention. 

57 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 

FLEAS 

An  occasional  parasite  of  poultry 

Symptoms.  Fleas  are  found  on  the  fowls 
or  in  the  straw  of  their  nests. 

Description,  The  flea  that  attacks  fowls 
is  known  as  the  hen  flea  (Pulex  gallince}. 
It  is  dark  colored  and  has  sharp  mouth 
parts.  Doubtless  it  causes  the  fowl  it  at- 
tacks much  irritation  in  addition  to  loss  of 
blood. 

Treatment.  Keep  poultry  houses  in  a 
clean,  sanitary  condition.  Dust  the  infested 
fowls  with  an  insect  powder  or  dip  them  in 
creolin,  about  \%.  Burn  infested  straw. 

FRACTURES 

Broken  bones  of  legs  or  wings  can  be 
mended  by  placing  the  bones  back  in  their 
proper  positions  and  binding  with  light 
splints.  The  splints  may  be  removed  in 
about  four  weeks.  It  will  be  found  that 
shanks  are  easily  set,  but  that  broken  wings 
give  far  more  trouble. 

58 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

If  a  fowl  dislocates  its  leg  or  its  wing, 
the  joint  should  be  gently  pushed  back  into 
place. 

FROST  BITE 
A  strain  on  the  bird's  system 

Symptoms.  Combs  and  wattles  are  most 
liable  to  frost  bite,  particularly  in  breeds 
in  which  these  parts  are  large. 

Cause.  Exposure  to  very  low  tempera- 
tures, especially  if  birds  are  suddenly 
turned  out  from  warm  quarters;  dipping 
comb  and  wattles  in  water  when  the  tem- 
perature is  low. 

Treatment.  Prevent  by  keeping  birds  as 
warm  as  possible  during  winter,  and  do  not 
allow  them  to  go  out  early  in  the  mornings 
in  very  cold  weather.  Drinking  water 
should  be  provided  in  a  vessel  from  which 
birds  can  drink  without  wetting  their 
wattles.  In  a  case  of  frost  bite,  thaw  the 
affected  parts  by  gently  rubbing  with  vase- 
line and  afterwards  treat  with  a  mixture  of 

59 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR   TREATMENT 


two  grains  of  salicylic  acid  to  one  ounce  of 
vaseline  or  lard. 

GAPES 

Serious  in  badly  infested  yards 

Symptoms.     Frequent  gaping  and  cough- 
ing;   young    chicks    attacked,    as    a    rule. 


FIG.   12.— GAPES 

On   left:     Chicken  affected  with  gapes.     On  right:     a,  male  and  female 
gape  worms;  b,  gape  worms   in  windpipe.      (From  Salmon.) 


Notice  if  any  worms  are  coughed  up  by  the 
chicken ;  if  none  can  be  found,  but  the  gap- 
ing continues,  put  a  stripped  feather  down 
the  windpipe,  as  recommended  under  treat- 
ment, and  see  if  any  gape  worms  can  be 
pulled  up. 

60 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

Cause.  Small  worms,  red  in  color  when 
engorged,  which  attach  themselves  to  the 
mucous  membrane  of  the  windpipe.  Af- 
fected birds  cough  up  worms  or  ova,  which 
infect  the  yard  and  sometimes  the  water 
supply.  Earthworms  taken  from  infested 
yards  have  been  found  to  contain  portions 
of  gape  worms,  and  may  be  one  means  of 
infecting  poultry. 

Treatment.  Isolate  attacked  poultry  and 
disinfect  coops  and  yards.  The  worms  may 
be  extracted  from  the  windpipe  of  a  gaping 
chicken  with  a  feather  stripped  nearly  to 
the  end,  and  moistened,  but  not  dripping, 
with  oil  of  turpentine.  Hold  the  mouth 
open,  push  the  feather  down  the  windpipe, 
and  give  it  a  sudden  twist,  which  will  dis- 
lodge the  worms  and  allow  of  their  being 
drawn  up.  Fumigation  by  holding  the 
bird's  head  over  an  irritant  vapor,  such  as 
that  of  carbolic  acid  poured  into  boiling 
water,  is  risky,  but  sometimes  successful.  If 
not  cautiously  done,  much  suffering  may  be 
inflicted  on  the  bird. 

Post-mortem.  Cut  open  the  windpipe 
61 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR   TREATMENT 

and  look  for  the  worms,  which  may  be 
easily  recognized  by  Fig.  12.  Male  and 
female  specimens  will  be  found  attached  to 
one  another. 

GASTRITIS    (CATARRH  OF  THE  STOMACH) 

Not  a  common  complaint 

Symptoms.  This  disease  cannot  be 
readily  diagnosed  while  the  fowl  is  living; 
it  is  generally  associated  with  catarrh  of  the 
crop.  (See  page  37.)  The  symptoms  are 
similar.  Post-mortem  examination  will 
show  the  lining  of  the  stomach  in  an  in- 
flamed condition. 

Cause.  The  inflammation  of  the  lining 
of  the  stomach  is  generally  due  to  eating  de- 
composing food  or  other  poisonous  matter. 

Treatment.  Empty  the  crop  as  recom- 
mended under  Catarrh  of  the  crop.  Give 
one  or  two  tablespoonfuls  of  castor  oil  and 
feed  on  soft  and  easily  digested  food  with 
milk  or  barley  water.  Be  sure  that  poultry 
are  not  allowed  to  run  under  trees  that  have 
been  sprayed  with  arsenical  poisons. 
62 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

GOUT 

Not  a  common  ailment 

Symptoms.  The  bird  sometimes  loses 
weight,  and  as  the  disease  develops  shows 
stiffness  and  an  indisposition  to  stand.  In 
some  cases  small  nodules  containing  crys- 
tals of  urate  of  soda  occur  on  the  underside 
of  the  toes. 

Cause.  Failure  of  the  kidneys  to  per- 
form their  normal  functions  and  consequent 
accumulation  of  urates  in  the  bird's  system 
in  excessive  quantities.  Gout  may  be  due 
to  too  concentrated  feeding. 

Treatment.  Medicines  and  treatment 
are  of  little  avail.  Endeavor  to  prevent  by 
feeding  a  mixed  diet. 

Post-mortem.  In  one  form  of  this  dis- 
ease, known  as  visceral  gout,  the  liver  and 
other  abdominal  organs  are  covered  over 
with  a  powder-like  deposit  of  the  crystals  of 
urate  of  soda. 

HEART  DISEASES 

Not  common,  and  cannot  be  treated 

The  heart  is  an  organ  that  is  subject  to 

63 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 

several  serious  diseases,  but  these  cannot  be 
detected  with  any  certainty  while  the  bird 
is  living,  and  treatment  cannot  be  recom- 
mended as  likely  to  be  successful.  Post- 
mortem examination  may  show  the  follow- 
ing symptoms : 

1.  The  heart  sac  full  of  serous  liquid, 

in  the  case  of  pericarditis,  or 
dropsy  of  the  heart  sac. 

2.  A  reddening  of  the  membrane  lin- 

ing the  heart,  in  the  case  of  in- 
flammation  (endocarditis). 

3.  An  enlarged  heart,  in  the  case  of 

enlargement  of  the  heart. 

4.  Hemorrhage,  in  the  case  of  rup- 

ture of   the   heart  and   of   the 
blood  vessels. 

INDIGESTION 

Disorder  of  the  intestinal  tract,  that  is  not  very  serious 

Symptoms.  The  bird  mopes  and  showrs 
signs  of  a  capricious  appetite.  Either  diar- 
rhea or,  less  commonly,  constipation,  may 
be  a  symptom. 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

Cause.  Disorders  of  the  digestive  tract, 
due  to  error  in  dieting — for  example,  over- 
feeding, or  too  little  green  food  and  not 
enough  exercise. 

Treatment.  Alter  the  feeding,  see  that 
the  water  is  clean,  and  give  a  dose  of  Epsom 
salts.  (See  page  9.) 

JAUNDICE 

Not  a  common  disease 

Symptoms.  A  yellow  comb  may  indicate 
jaundice,  but  there  are  no  definite  external 
symptoms.  Post-mortem  examination 
shows  distention  of  the  gall  bladder,  due  to 
an  excessive  secretion  of  bile. 

Cause.  Said  to  be  due  to  continued  con- 
gestion of  the  liver,  arising  possibly  from 
too  much  heat-giving  food. 

Treatment.  If  the  disease  is  suspected, 
give  one  grain  of  calomel  as  a  purgative  and 
feed  on  more  green  food. 

KIDNEY  DISEASES 

With  the  exception  of  gout,  kidney  diseases  cannot  be 
detected  by  external  symptoms 

Gout  (see  page  63)  is  the  commonest  dis- 

65 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

ease  of  the  kidneys.  In  addition,  there  are 
some  disorders  of  the  kidneys  (e.  g.,  en- 
largement) that  may  be  noticed  on  post- 
mortem examination.  Little  is  known  about 
these  diseases ;  there  are  no  symptoms  that 
can  be  recognized  before  death,  and  no 
treatment  can  be  recommended. 

LEG  WEAKNESS 

Constitutional  'weakness,  to  which  the  heavier  breeds  are 
more  subject  than  are  the  lighter  ones 

Symptoms.  Fowls  walk  in  an  unsteady 
manner,  without  showing  any  specific  cause 
for  lameness.  Young  birds  are  more  likely 
to  be  affected  in  this  manner,  particularly 
those  of  the  heavier  breeds. 

Cause.  Too  rapid  growth,  the  bird  out- 
growing the  strength  of  its  legs. 

Treatment.  Reduce  the  quantity  of  fat- 
producing  foods.  Care  in  the  selection  of 
breeding  stock  is  important. 

LICE 

Invariably  present  in  small  numbers,  and  likely  to  become  a 
serious  pest,  if  not  persistently  controlled 

Symptoms.     Unthrifty  look  of  fowl  and 

66  " 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

signs  of  irritation;  desertion  of  nest  by 
setting  hens;  and,  of  course,  the  detection 
of  lice  on  the  fowl:  this  may  be  done  by 


FIG.    13.— LOOKING   FOR  LICE 


quickly  turning  over   the  feathers   on   the 
body  and  looking  for  the  lice. 

Cause.       Introduction     of     an     infested 

67 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 


FIG.    14. — THREE    LICE 

THAT  COMMONLY 

AFFECT  FOWLS 

(From  Salmon.) 

a,  Lipeurus   variabilis. 

b,  Menopon  pallidum. 

c,  Goniodes  dissimilis. 


fowl ;  neglect  to  dust  fowls 
regularly  to  keep  down  lice, 
and  to  clean  out  fowl  houses 
and  change  the  straw  of  nest 
boxes.  At  the  season  that 
lice  are  likely  to  be  most 
prevalent  the  poultryman 
should  take  precautionary 
measures. 

Description  of  lice.  Lice 
are  small  insects  ranging  in 
size  from  1-25  to  1-8  of  an 
inch.  They  breed  rapidly, 
laying  their  eggs  on  the 
feathers.  They  are  not 
blood-sucking  insects,  but 
cause  much  irritation  to  the 
birds  they  infest. 

Several  species  are  found 
on  fowls.  Fig.  14  shows  three 
of  the  common  species. 

Treatment.       Dust    fowls 
with    fresh     insect    powder 
(pyrethrum).     Smear     sul- 
phur ointment  on  head  and 
68 


DISEASES  AND  PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

under  wings,  especially  in  the  case  of 
chickens.  Infested  fowls  may  be  dipped 
in  2%  creolin.  Dust  setting  hens  with  a 
lice  powder  before  putting  them  on  their 
nests.  Infested  straw  should  be  burnt,  and 
boxes,  nests,  fixtures,  etc.,  should  be  thor- 
oughly sprayed  with  2%  creolin. 


LIMBER-NECK 

An  occasional  complaint 

Symptoms.  The  muscles  of  the  fowl's 
neck  become  so  relaxed  that  they  cannot 
support  the  head. 

Cause.  Limber-neck,  due  to  partial  or 
entire  paralysis  of  the  muscles  of  the  neck, 
is  believed  to  be  associated  with  acute  in- 
digestion or  worms. 

Treatment.  A  strong  purgative  may  be 
the  means  of  effecting  a  cure  by  cleaning 
out  any  intestinal  'poisons  and  thus  correct- 
ing the  cause.  If  the  treatment  recom- 
mended does  not  effect  a  cure  in  a  few  days, 
kill  the  bird. 

69 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

LIVER  DISEASES 

The  liver  is  affected  by  several  diseases, 
and  the  poultryman,  who  finds  a  spotted 
liver  on  post-mortem  examination,  will  be 
much  aided  in  determining  the  cause,  if  he 
takes  into  consideration  the  symptoms 
noticed  before  the  fowl  died,  as  well  as  the 
changes  in  the  other  internal  organs.  The 
importance  of  the  post-mortem  examination 
is  in  distinguishing  whether  the  death  of  the 
fowl  is  due  to  a  contagious  disease. 

The  causes  of  diseased  livers  may  be  con- 
veniently divided  into  two  classes: 

1.  Diseased  livers  due  to  indigestion, 

e.  g.,  enlargement. 

2.  Diseased  livers  due  to  a  specific 

disease,  e.  g.,  tuberculosis. 

Diseases  Due  to  Indigestion 

In  this  class  may  be  included  degenera- 
tion, inflammation,  congestion,  enlargement, 
and  atrophy  of  the  liver.  There  are  more 
or  less  distinct  differences  in  these  diseases, 
but  the  only  possible  methods  of  treatment 
70 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

known  at  present  are  very  much  the  same. 

Symptoms.  There  are  no  definite  ex- 
ternal symptoms.  The  poultryman's  sus- 
picions should,  however,  be  aroused  if  fowls 
apparently  in  good  health  die  suddenly.  A 
post-mortem  examination  will  reveal  a  liver 
of  abnormal  size,  or  somewhat  shrunken, 
and  of  unhealthy  texture. 

Cause.  The  cause  is  generally  something 
wrong  in  the  feeding.  Fowls  may  be  eat- 
ing too  large  a  proportion  of  heat-produc- 
ing foods  and  not  enough  green  food.  If 
an  enlarged  liver  is  associated  with  an  ex- 
cessive layer  of  fat  covering  the  internal 
organs,  it  points  to  too  large  quantities  of 
carbohydrates. 

Treatment.  Correct  errors  in  feeding. 
Give  more  green  food  and  let  the  fowls 
scratch  for  some  of  their  grain.  If  errors 
in  feeding  and  general  management  are  not 
obvious,  make  experimental  changes. 

Diseased  Livers  Due  to  Specific  Diseases 

Tuberculosis,  coccidiosis,  gout  and  other 
specific  diseases  are  responsible  for  spotted 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

or  diseased  livers.  (Fig.  24.)  The  sec- 
tion on  diagnosis  by  post-mortem  examina- 
tion gives  further  information  on  these  sub- 
jects and  shows  how  the  principal  diseases 
may  be  distinguished. 

The  term  cancer  is  sometimes  applied  to 
cases  in  which  there  are  tumors  on  the  liver. 

MAGGOTS 

Occasionally  found  in  flesh  wounds  of  poultry 

Symptoms.  A  flesh  wound  that  instead 
of  healing  develops  into  a  sore  with  a  slight 
running.  On  examination,  maggots  will  be 
found. 

Cause.  Several  species  of  flies  are  al- 
ways ready  to  lay  their  eggs  in  any  available 
wound  or  sore;  therefore  wounds  must  be 
watched  in  the  case  of  poultry,  as  with  all 
other  animals  of  the  farmyard.  The  eggs 
laid  by  these  flies  hatch  and  develop  into 
small  footless  grubs  commonly  known  as 
maggots. 

Treatment.  Wash  the  wound  with  I  to 
2%  creolin;  remove  as  many  of  the  maggots 
as  possible  with  a  pair  of  tweezers  or  a 
72 


DISEASES  AND  PESTS  OF  FOWLS 

feather.  If  the  maggots  are  deep-seated, 
stuff  the  wound  with  a  cotton  wad  saturated 
with  strong  creolin  or  10%  carbolic  acid. 
Examine  next  day  and  remove  dead  mag- 
gots. Treat  again  in  a  similar  manner  if 
the  maggots  are  not  all  killed.  Fish  oil,  or 
iodoform  made  into  a  paste  with  vase- 
line, will  prevent  the  flies  depositing 
their-  eggs,  if  smeared  on  the  surface  of 
the  wound. 

MITES  (AIR-SAC) 

Not  a  common  parasite 

Symptoms.  There  are  no  definite  ex- 
ternal symptoms.  If  the  bird  is  very  badly 
affected,  there  may  be  evidences  of  suffoca- 
tion. This  may  end  fatally.  A  post-mor- 
tem examination  will  show  the  mites  in  the 
air  passages  and  bronchi  as  small  yellowish 
and  whitish  particles,  which  on  careful  ob- 
servation may  be  seen  to  move. 

Cause.  A  small  mite  (Sarcoptes  l&vis) 
which  infests  the  air  sacs  and  bronchi. 
These  mites,  when  present  in  large  numbers, 

73 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 


obstruct  the  air  passages  and  cause  suffoca- 
tion. A  secretion  from  the  mucous  mem- 
brane affected,  results  from 
the  presence  of  the  mites 
and  increases  the  obstruc- 
tion of  the  air  passages. 
Treatment.  The  fumiga- 
tion method  tried  for  gapes 
has  been  recommended, 
but  there  is  little  reason 
to  expect  success. 


FIG.   15 

THE  AIR  SAC  MITE 
(From  Salmon.) 


MITES,  DEPLUMING    (SCABIES) 

Symptoms.     Bare  patches  on  the  bird's 
body   due   to   the   loss   of 
feathers.     The  rump  and 
the   breast   are   most   fre- 
quently attacked. 

Cause.  A  small  mite 
(Sarcoptes  Icevis)  found 
on  the  bird's  body  near  the 
base  of  the  fallen  feathers. 

Treatment.  Isolate  af- 
fected birds;  rub  bare 
patches  and  neighboring 

74 


FIG.  16 

THE  DEPLUMING   MITE 
(From  Salmon.) 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

portion  of  body  with  sulphur  ointment  (see 
page  9)  or  dip  body  of  fowl  in  a  solution 
of  about  2%  creolin. 

MITES  (RED  MITE) 

A  serious  pest 

Symptoms.     Unthriftiness  of  birds. 

Cause.  A  small  whitish  mite,  which  ap- 
pears red  when  filled  with  blood.  These 
mites  suck  the  bird's  blood  at  night  and  hide 
during  the  day  in  the  sockets 
of  the  perches  and  in  the 
crevices  of  the  woodwork. 

Treatment.  Examine  the 
fowl  house  at  night.  Dust 
hens  with  an  insect  powder; 
thoroughly  spray  houses  and 
perches  with  5%  creolin  or 
other  disinfectant,  and  squirt  kerosene  oil 
or  turpentine  into  cracks  and  crevices.  A 
specially  constructed  mite-proof  perch,  or 
one  that  can  be  easily  removed,  should 
be  used. 

MOLTING 
Molting  is  not  a  disease,  but  may  prove 

75 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

trying  to  poultry  not  in  the  best  condition 
to  stand  the  strain  of  the  process.  Hens 
overtaxed  with  forced  laying  and  cocks 
running  with  too  large  a  number  of  hens  are 
most  likely  to  suffer.  Molting  occurs  in 
healthy  adult  birds  every  twelve  months. 
The  process,  which  is  a  natural  one,  should 
be  allowed  to  take  its  natural  course  unless 
the  fowls  appear  weak  and  depressed  dur- 
ing the  period.  In  such  cases  specially 
nourishing  and  stimulating  food  should  be 
given.  Anyhow,  it  would  be  well  to  pay 
particular  attention  to  the  feeding  of  birds 
during  the  molting  season. 

OVARY  DISEASES 

Hens  suffer  from  various  diseases  of  the 
ovary,  which  may  become  shriveled  and  use- 
less or  gangrenous.  Tumorous  growths, 
sometimes  called  cancers,  are  also  found. 
As  diseased  conditions  of  this  organ  can  be 
detected  only  by  post-mortem  examination, 
and  as  no  remedies  are  known,  the  subject 
need  not  be  dealt  with  more  fully. 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

OVIDUCT,   DISEASES  OF 

Abnormal  eggs  must  be  regarded  as  due 
to  functional  disorders  of  the  oviduct.  One 
cause  of  soft  eggs  is  lack  of  shell-forming 
material;  therefore  a  liberal  supply  of 
powdered  oyster  shells,  or  lime  in  some 
other  form,  should  always  be  accessible  to 
laying  hens.  Other  abnormal  eggs  occur, 
such  as  those  with  double  yolks,  without 
any  yolk,  with  blood  clots,  etc.  No  treat- 
ment can  be  suggested  beyond  feeding  a 
varied  diet  and  avoiding  too  stimulating  or 
over-heating  foods. 

Prolapse  of  the  oviduct  may  occur.  The 
protruding  portion  should  be  oiled  or  vase- 
lined  and  gently  pressed  back. 

PERITONITIS 

Not  common  and  not  contagious 

Symptoms.  Loss  of  appetite,  fever  and 
evidence  of  discomfort  and  pain  in  the 
stomach,  especially  if  the  abdomen  is 
pressed  with  the  hand.  Post-mortem  ex- 

77 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 


Undeveloped    ovules    in   ovary. 

Partly  developed  ovule  show- 
stigma.  Here  the  follicle  wall 
breaks  and  allows  the  ovule 
yolk  to  leave  the  ovary  pre- 
paratory to  laying. 

An  empty  follicle  in  which  the 
stigma  and  the  yolk  passed 
out. 

Opening  of  oviduct. 

Portion  of  oviduct  distended, 
allowing  yolk  to  pass  down. 

Walls  of  oviduct  which  secrete 
albumen  forming  the  white  of 
the  egg. 

Membranous    lining    added. 

Portion  of  oviduct  that  secretes 
shell-forming  substance. 

Cloaca. 


FIG.   18. — ORGANS  OF  REPRODUCTION 
OF  THE  HEN 

(From  Salmon.) 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

animation  shows  inflamed  appearance  of 
membrane  of  the  abdominal  cavity. 

Cause.  Serious  inflammation  of  the 
wall  of  the  abdominal  cavity. 

Treatment.  Put  the  bird  in  a  quiet  place. 
Aconite  (see  page  9) ,  to  reduce  the  tempera- 
ture, and  opium,  or  one  drop  of  laudanum, 
to  relieve  pain,  have  been  recommended, 
but  as  a  rule  it  is  best  to  kill  the  bird. 

PIP 

Generally  the  effect  of  some  other  disorder 

Symptoms.  A  hardened  scale  formed  at 
tip  of  tongue. 

Cause.  Generally  due  to  cold  or  other 
disorder  affecting  the  breathing  of  the  bird. 

Treatment.  Do  not  try  to  tear  off  the 
growth  on  the  tongue  by  force,  but  moisten 
with  vaseline  or  glycerin  until  it  becomes 
loose.  Give  soft  food. 

PNEUMONIA  AND  CONGESTION  OF  LUNGS 
Generally  fatal 

Symptoms.       Extreme     depression     and 
79 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 

great  difficulty  in  breathing.  Difficult  to 
distinguish  in  the  living  bird  from  a  very 
bad  cold.  Post-mortem  examination  shows 
the  affected  lung  filled  with  an  exudate. 
The  lung  sinks  if  put  in  water. 

Cause.  Following  on  a  cold,  the  lung 
becomes  congested  with  blood  and  a  dark, 
viscous  matter.  Pneumonia  may  be  con- 
sidered a  further,  and  generally  final,  stage 
of  congestion. 

Treatment.  A  cure  is  seldom  effected, 
but  in  the  case  of  a  valuable  bird  the  follow- 
ing treatment  may  be  tried:  Keep  the  bird 
in  a  dry,  warm  place;  paint  the  skin  above 
the  lungs  with  tincture  of  iodine;  give 
aconite.  Feed  on  soft  food  and  give  a 
stimulant. 

POISONING 

Symptoms.  As  a  rule  the  poisons  that 
fowls  eat  are  mineral.  The  most  pro- 
nounced symptom  is  evidence  of  pain.  In 
cases  of  arsenical  poison  there  is  diarrhea. 
A  poison  containing  a  copper  compound 

80 


DISEASES  AND  PESTS  OF  FOWLS 

acts  partly  as  an  emetic,  causing  the  fowl 
to  make  an  effort  to  vomit.  In  cases  of 
mineral  poisons,  post-mortem  examinations 
show  inflammation  of  the  stomach  and  the 
digestive  tract. 

Sources  of  poison.  Poultry  are  likely  to 
get  poisoned  from  the  following  sources : 

Fertilizers  (e.  g.,  nitrate  of  soda)  used 
on  fields  in  which  fowls  scratch  for  food. 
Such  cases  are  rare. 

Insecticides  and  fungicides  (e.  g.,  Paris 
green  [arsenic],  lead  arsenate,  Bordeaux 
mixture)  applied  to  plants  under  which 
fowls  run.  If  sprays  are  mixed  in  correct 
proportions  and  used  in  normal  quantities, 
there  is  little  danger  to  poultry  feeding  on 
the  grass  below  sprayed  trees.  Great  care 
should,  however,  be  taken  in  disposing  of 
the  sediment  and  the  residue  after  spraying 
operations  are  completed. 

Rat  poisons  (e.  g.,  phosphorus,  strych- 
nine, baryta).  These  poisons  are  particu- 
larly dangerous  when  mixed  with  cornmeal 
or  other  bait  attractive  to  fowls.  The  best 
way  to  set  rat  poison  is  to  put  it  in  a  piece 
81 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 

of  piping  of  such  a  diameter  and  length  that 
fowls  cannot  reach  it. 

Salt.  Food  mixed  with  salt  for  other 
domestic  animals  may  be  accidentally  given 
to  fowls.  Chickens  are  the  most  likely  to 
be  poisoned  by  excess  of  salt. 

Treatment.  If  fowls  have  eaten  poison- 
ous substances,  the  fact  is  not  usually  dis- 
covered until  after  death  or  until  it  is  too 
late  to  administer  an  antidote.  Most  of  the 
poisons  fowls  are  likely  to  eat  act  as  irri- 
tants of  the  digestive  tract.  Milk  and 
white  of  egg  should  be  given.  It  is  advis- 
able to  give  a  stimulant,  such  as  half  a  tea- 
spoonful  of  brandy. 

PYAEMIA 

Not  contagious,   and  not  common 

Symptoms.  This  disease  cannot  be  diag- 
nosed except  by  post-mortem  examination 
and  microscopic  identification  of  pus-form- 
ing organisms  in  the  infected  areas  (whitish 
spots)  of  liver,  spleen,  etc. 

Cause.  Pus-forming  organisms  believed 
82 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

to  enter  the  blood  through  a  wound  in  the 
skin. 

Treatment.  As  there  are  no  external 
symptoms,  treatment  is  not  possible. 

RHEUMATISM 

Not  a  common  trouble 

Symptoms.  Lameness  and  stiffness  of 
joints. 

Cause.  May  be  due  in  some  cases  to  too 
stimulating  food  and  to  dampness. 

Treatment.  Put  affected  bird  in  dry 
quarters  and  vary  food,  adding  more  greens. 
Rub  joints  with  embrocation,  or  turpentine 
and  oil. 

ROUP    (CONTAGIOUS  CATARRH) 

One   of  the  most  serious   contagious  diseases 

Symptoms.  The  bird  first  has  symptoms 
of  an  ordinary  cold,  such  as  running  at  the 
nostrils  and  sneezing.  Definite  evidence  of 
roup  is  the  offensive  odor  detected  on  open- 
ing the  bird's  mouth.  The  exudate  is  also 
offensive.  The  disease  may  attack  the  eyes, 

83 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

which  then  become  inflamed  and  swollen; 
a  tumor,  containing  offensive,  yellowish, 
cheesy  matter,  sometimes  develops.  The 


FIG.    19.— EXAMINING    A    FOWL    WITH    A    SUSPICIOUS    COLD 

course  of  the  disease  may  extend  over  sev- 
eral weeks  or  months  and  there  may  be  cases 
of  chronic  roup.  Some  cases  end  fatally 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

in  a  comparatively  short  time.  The  form 
of  the  disease,  in  which  yellowish  patches 
develop  on  the  throat,  is  dealt  with  under 
diphtheria  or  diphtheritic  roup. 

Cause.  Cases  of  roup  occur  when  birds 
are  subjected  to  draft  and  damp,  but  the 
cause  must  be  infection  with  disease  germs. 
It  is  believed  that  the  almost  constant  pres- 
ence of  the  germs  is  due  to  lack  of  regular 
disinfection  and  to  birds  in  the  flock  be- 
lieved to  have  recovered  from  a  previous 
attack  of  the  disease,  but  that,  in  reality,  are 
suffering  from  chronic  roup,  and  are  able, 
whenever  suitable  conditions  arise  for  an 
outbreak  of  this  disease,  to  infect  the  rest  of 
the  flock  through  the  drinking  water  and 
the  soil. 

Treatment.  The  seriousness  of  this  dis- 
ease makes  it  imperative  for  the  poultry 
rearer  to  isolate  immediately  any  birds 
showing  any  suspicious  symptoms.  If 
treatment  of  the  infected  bird  is  taken  in 
hand  early,  and  carried  out  faithfully,  a 
cure  can  be  effected,  but  it  is  often  wiser  to 
kill  and  burn  infected  stock.  In  treating 

85 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

birds,  the  mouth  and  nostrils  should  be 
washed  out  with  5%  carbolic  acid,  or  with 
50%  hydrogen  peroxide,  or  with  2%  per- 
manganate of  potash.  It  is  important  to 
clean  out  the  passage  of  the  nostrils,  and 
this  may  be  done  by: 

1.  Pressing  against  the  roof  of  the 

bird's  mouth  from  inside  and 
squeezing  the  nostrils  from 
above  downwards. 

2.  Syringing  out  the  nostrils. 

3.  Dipping  the  fowl's  head  for  a  few 

seconds  in  a  solution  of  the  dis- 
infectant. Great  care  should  be 
exercised  in  this  method  of 
treatment,  which  is  only  recom- 
mended when  permanganate  of 
potash  is  used. 

It  is  well  to  keep  birds  isolated  for  some 
time  after  apparent  recovery.  When  the 
eye  is  affected  (see  Fig.  20),  the  tumor 
should  be  carefully  lanced  and  the  cheesy 
matter  removed,  after  which  the  cavity 
should  be  rinsed  out  with  one  of  the  dis- 
86 


DISEASES   AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

infectants  recommended  above;  such  treat- 
ment may  have  to  be  repeated  time  after 
time. 

As  an  after  effect  of  a  cold  or  of  roup, 
conjunctivitis  or  sore  eyes  may  develop.  A 
discharge  comes  from  the  eyes  and  the  eye- 


FIG.   20. — A   ROUPY   EYE 


lids  become  stuck  together.  Bathe  the  eyes 
with  hydrogen  peroxide  mixed  with  an 
equal  quantity  of  water. 

If  this  condition  follows  an  attack  of 
roup,  there  is  danger  that  the  fowl  has  not 
entirely  recovered,  and  may  be  a  source  of 
infection  to  the  rest  of  the  flock. 

87 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND  THEIR   TREATMENT 

SCALY  LEG 

An  unsightly  affection  that,  although  contagious,  does  not 
spread  rapidly 

Symptoms.  A  rough  and  scaly  growth 
on  the  legs  of  the  bird. 

Cause.  A  small  mite  (Fig.  22),  known 
as  Sarcoptes  mutans,  burrows  in  the  skin 


FIG.  21.— SCALY  LEG 
A.  Showing  early  stages  of  attack. 


and    gives    rise    to    the    unsightly    growth 
(Fig.  21 )  that  gives  this  disease  its  name. 

Treatment.  Soften  the  scaly  growth  by 
washing  and  soaking  the  legs  with  warm 
water  and  soap.  Scrub  the  affected  portion 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 

of  the  legs  with  a  brush  and  then  treat  as 
follows:  Dip  the  legs  in  kerosene  oil, 
holding  them  there  for  not 
longer  than  a  few  seconds.  If 
the  kerosene  oil  is  mixed  with 
sweet  oil,  or  if  the  legs  are  wet 
first  with  water,  there  will  be 
no  risk  of  the  kerosene  prov- 
ing harsh,  as  sometimes  hap- 

o     ,     t  .  /  SCALY  LEG 

pens.     Sulphur    ointment  (see 
page  9)  may  be  used  instead  of  the  kero- 
sene oil  treatment. 

SOFT  CROP 

Not  a  serious  complaint 

Symptoms.  Distended  crop,  soft  to  the 
feel. 

Cause.  Over-eating;  or  food  turning 
sour  in  the  crop. 

Treatment.  Hold  bird  downwards  and 
squeeze  contents  of  crop  through  mouth, 
taking  care  not  to  suffocate  the  patient. 
Repeat  treatment  if  necessary.  Put  on  low 
diet  for  some  time,  feeding  slowly  and 
sparingly. 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

TICKS 
A  pest  found  in  the  Southern  States  and  tropical  countries 

Symptoms.     The  fowl  has  fever,  appears 
depressed,  and  stands  in  a  cramped  position. 
Cause.     The  fowl  tick  (Argas  minatus) , 
which  hides  during  the  day  in 
cracks  and  crevices,  sucks  the 
fowl's  blood  at  night  and  in- 
*  S$  troduces      a     fever-producing 

FIG.  23          parasite. 

THE   FOWL   TICK  . 

a.  Aduit.  Remedies.       Examine     sick 

b.  Larva. 

birds  during  the  day,  and  visit 
the  roosts  at  night,  for  proof  of  the  presence 
of  ticks;  carefully  search  under  perches,  in 
nests,  and  in  corners  of  woodwork,  etc. 
Spray  woodwork  with  5%  creolin;  squirt 
kerosene  oil,  or  turpentine,  into  cracks  and 
crevices. 

TUBERCULOSIS 
A  very  serious  poultry  disease 

Symptoms.     This  disease  may  be  present 
in  a  poultry  yard  for  some  time  without 
being     detected.       Suspicion     should     be 
90 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 


aroused  if  birds  gradually  lose  weight  and 
die.  If  a  bird  that 
has  gradually  been 
getting  thinner,  goes 
lame,  or  loses  the  use 
of  a  wing,  without  ap- 
parent injury,  the  evi- 
dence that  tuber- 
culosis is  present  is 
strong,  but  positive 
proof  of  its  presence 
can  be  obtained  only 
by  post-mortem  and 
microscopic  examina- 
tion. This  disease  gen- 
erally attacks  adult 
birds. 

Cause.  The  specific 
organism  causing  this 
disease,  known  as  the 
Bacillus  tuberculosis 

(FlO"       £  ^       inferfrS     the     FlG-  24- — ORGANS  AFFECTED  BY 
\*  *&•     ^/J     J    U-CUI&     LllC       TUBERCULOSIS  AND  BLACKHEAD 

liver    (Fig.    24),    the  a.  Normal  spleen. 

i  /T7'  \  J    ^-  Tubercular  spleen. 

Spleen     (-Tig.    24J,    and   c.  Portion   of  tubercular  liver. 
t  d.  Blackhead    liver    of    turkey    for 

other  organs,  least  f  re-       comparison  with  c. 

a   and  b  after   Edwards. 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

quently  the  lungs.  The  disease  may  be  in- 
troduced into  a  flock  by  the  purchase  of  an 
infected  bird,  and  may  be  spread  by  unin- 
fected  birds  picking  up  the  excrement  of 
diseased  birds  with  their  food. 

Treatment.  There  is  no  known  cure. 
The  insidious  manner  in  which  this  disease 
advances  through  a  poultry  yard  makes  it 
a  very  serious  malady.  Birds  suffering 
from  it  should  be  killed  and  burnt. 
Thorough  disinfection  of  coops,  etc.,  should 
be  made.  Strict  attention  to  sanitation  will 
help  in  preventing  and  controlling  this  dis- 
ease. If  many  birds  in  a  flock  are  believed 
to  have  tuberculosis,  it  would  be  well  to 
destroy  the  whole  flock  and  start  again, 
preferably  on  fresh  ground. 

WHITE  DIARRHEA  OF  CHICKENS 

A  very  serious  disease,  causing  the  death  of  large  numbers 

Symptoms.  Chickens  are  generally  at- 
tacked when  10  to  15  days  old.  They  ap- 
pear listless,  their  feathers  become  rough, 
and  they  stand  about  with  drooping  wings. 
A  white  diarrhea  is  soon  noticed.  Chicken 
92 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 


FIG.  25.— CHICKENS   AFFECTED  WITH   WHITE  DIARRHEA 

Ten-day  White  Leghorn   chickens   showing  symptoms   of   bacillary  white 

diarrhea.     (After  Rettger  &  Stoneburn.) 

after  chicken  shows  similar  symptoms  and 
dies,  resulting  in  much  loss  and  discourage- 
ment to  the  poultry  rearer. 

Cause.  Various  causes,  such  as  im- 
proper or  stale  food,  may  upset  the  chick- 
en's digestive  organs  and  give  rise  to  a 
whitish  diarrhea,  but  the  term  "white  diar- 
rhea" is  best  restricted  to  a  contagious  form 
of  diarrhea  due  to  minute  parasites  in  the 
intestinal  tracts  of  chickens.  A  coccidium 


FIG.   26.— HEALTHY   CHICKENS 
Normal  ten-day  White  Leghorn  chickens.     (After  Rettger  &  Stoneburn.) 

93 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

and  a  bacillus  have  been  proved  by  different 
investigators  to  cause  very  similar  forms  of 
white  diarrhea.  A  distinct  form  of  white 
diarrhea,  known  as  brooder  pneumonia,  is 
described  on  page  35. 

Treatment.  This  disease  is  a  very  dif- 
ficult one  to  control.  Incubators  and 
brooders  should  be  thoroughly  disinfected. 
Special  care  should  be  taken  in  the  feeding 
during  the  first  few  weeks.  Chickens 
should  not  be  overfed.  The  feeding  of 
dry  bran  is  recommended,  as  it  tends  to  keep 
the  bowels  in  a  healthy,  active  condition. 
In  the  form  of  white  diarrhea  due  to  a 
bacillus,  suspicion  rests  on  the  hen  and  the 
egg  as  sources  of  infection.  When  the  dis- 
ease becomes  serious,  and  general  sanitation 
and  proper  care  of  chickens  do  not  control 
it,  the  advisability  of  obtaining  the  eggs  for 
hatching  from  a  poultry  farm  free  of  white 
diarrhea  should  be  considered. 

WORMS 

Intestinal  parasites  that  occasionally  become  serious 

Symptoms.     General  debility;  worms  or 
94 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 


segments  of  worms,-  seen  in  the  droppings. 
If  there  is  doubt  as  to  whether  a  flock  is 
suffering  from  worms,  give  a  suspected 
bird  a  strong  purgative  and  keep  it  up  so 
that  the  feces  may  be  examined  for  worms. 
If  doubt  still 
exists,  the  sus- 
pected  bird 
should  be  killed 
and  a  post-mor- 
tem examina- 
tion made.  Cut 
the  intestines 
open  length- 
ways (see  Fig. 
34)  with  a  small 
pair  of  scissors 
and  wash  them  out  with  water  so  as  to  de- 
tect the  smaller  worms,  and  the  tapeworms 
attached  to  the  lining  of  the  intestines. 

Cause.  Two  classes  of  worms  are  com- 
monly parasitic  on  fowls — round  worms 
(see  Fig.  27)  and  tapeworms.  There  are 
generally  a  few  specimens  of  worms  in  the 
intestines  of  fowls ;  but  only  when  the  num- 

95 


FIG.  27. — WORMS  IN  INTESTINAL  TRACT 

OF  FOWL 

(After  Bradshaw.  From  Pearl,  Surface 
&  Curtis.) 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 


SICKiES 


MAIN  TAIL 

FEAfHERS 


EAR    tOBE 

SADOLE 

BACK 


COHB 


1/13 


WJMS 


COVERTS 


TH!<SH 


KNEE 


FIG.  28.— THE  PARTS  OF  A  FOWL 


96 


DISEASES  AND   PESTS  OF   FOWLS 


FIG.  29.— SKELETON  OF  A  FOWL 


97 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND   THEIR  TREATMENT 

bers  are  large  do  worms  affect  the  health 
of  the  fowl. 

Treatment.  Every  bird  suspected  of 
having  worms  may  be  tested  with  a  purga- 
tive as  suggested  above.  Or,  if  it  is  estab- 
lished that  several  birds  in  a  flock  are  suf- 
fering from  worms,  all  in  poor  condition, 
without  any  cause  being  apparent,  should 
be  dosed  with  santonin — three  to  five  grains 
in  the  morning  before  any  food  has  been 
picked  up.  After  about  two  hours  give  a 
purgative  of  two  teaspoonfuls  of  castor  oil 
and  soon  after  let  the  fowl  have  its  morning 
food.  As  important  as  dosing  the  fowls,  is 
disinfecting  the  feed  troughs,  the  water  ves- 
sels, and  the  soil  of  the  runs  in  order  to  pre- 
vent re-infection. 

Nodular  tceniasis.  Small  nodules  on  the 
intestines,  resembling  the  nodules  in  tuber- 
culosis, are  sometimes  caused  by  tapeworms. 
The  name  "nodular  taeniasis"  has  been  given 
to  this  disease. 


A1 


CHAPTER  V 

POST- MORTEM  EXAMINATIONS 

I .  Making  the  Examination 

POST-MORTEM  examination  should 
always  be  undertaken  if  there  is  any 
doubt  as  to  the  cause  of  death.  Poultry 
rearers  who  are  not  already  familiar  with 
the  normal  appearance  of  the  internal  or- 
gans of  a  fowl  should  take  the  first  oppor- 
tunity of  studying  them. 

Post-mortem  examinations  should  be 
done  in  a  systematic  manner;  but,  if  de- 
sired, a  very  speedy  examination  may  be 
made  by  rapidly  removing,  or  bending  back, 
the  breast  bone  of  the  unplucked  bird. 

It  will  be  more  generally  satisfactory, 
however,  to  devote  time  to  the  operation, 
and  it  is  suggested  that  the  work  be  carried 
out  on  the  following  lines: 

i.  Nail  the  body  of  the  dead  fowl  on 
a  board  in  the  position  shown 

99 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 


FlG.  30.— POST-MORTEM  EXAMINATION  NO.   1 
Fowl  nailed  on  board;  lines  A  B,  A  C  and  B  D  show  where  to  cut. 


100 


POST-MORTEM   EXAMINATIONS 

in  Fig.  30,  fiay.ing  fi;F3t"  .partly; 
or  wholly  plubked  the  bird.' 

2.  With    a    sharp    knife    cut    along 

lines  AC,  BD  (Fig.  30),  and 
bend  the  breast  bone  back- 
wards, exposing  the  internal 
organs.  (Fig.  31.)  As  the 
breast  bone  is  raised  'it  will  be 
necessary  to  cut  through  the 
mesentery  and  other  connecting 
tissues.  Break  it  back  at  D, 
cutting  through  the  flesh  and 
the  muscle  with  sharp  scissors. 

3.  Remove  heart,  liver,  gall-bladder 

and  spleen,  making  neat  sever- 
ances and  without  injury  to 
any  of  the  other  organs.  If  the 
heart  or  large  blood  vessels  be 
injured  in  the  operation,  blood 
will  flow  out  and  interfere  with 
the  work. 

4.  Cut  through  the  oesophagus,  be- 

low or  above  the  crop,  as  most 
convenient,       and       also       cut 
through  the  large  intestine  near 
101 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND   THEIR  TREATMENT 


FlG.  31.— POST-MORTEM  EXAMINATION  NO.  2 
Breast  bone  removed;    internal  organs  in  situ. 


102 


POST-MORTEM   EXAMINATIONS 

the  cloaca.  Without  discon- 
necting the  parts,  lift  out  the 
gizzard,  intestines,  and  other 
portions  of  the  alimentary 
canal,  carefully  tearing  away 
the  membranous  tissues  of  the 
mesentery. 

5.  Spread   the   organs   out  and   ex- 

amine each  one  carefully  and 
critically,  making  sections  if 
necessary.  (Fig.  32.) 

6.  Cut  open  gullet,  crop,  stomach, 

gizzard,  intestines,  and  caeca 
and  examine  the  contents. 

7.  Examine  the  lungs,  cutting  off  a 

portion  and  throwing  it  into 
water,  when  it  will  float  if 
healthy,  but  sink  if  congested. 

8.  Cut  through  the  skin  of  the  neck. 

Sever  the  windpipe  near  the 
head,  and  also  where  the  bron- 
chi enter  the  lungs.  With 
scissors  cut  it  open,  and  examine 
for  molds  or  gapes  or  for  ex- 
udates  indicative  of  various 
103 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 


Gizzard 


Portion    of 
Mesentery 


FIG.  32.— POST-MORTEM  EXAMINATION  NO.  3 
Internal  organs   removed  for  examination. 


IO4 


POST-MORTEM   EXAMINATIONS 

forms  of  cold  or  lung  conges- 
tion. 

9.  Examine  the  brain  (Fig.  34)  for 
blood  clots.  Some  care  will  be 
necessary  in  cutting  through 
the  skull  so  as  not  to  injure  the 
brain  tissue,  which  should  be  a 
milky  white.  A  sharp  and 
strong  pair  of  scissors  or  a 
small,  fine  saw  (e.  g.,  tenon 
saw)  will  be  useful  for  older 
birds.  Remove  the  skin  and 
cut  from  behind,  raising  the 
bones  and  exposing  the  brain. 

2.   The  Normal  Condition  of  the 
Internal  Organs 

(See  Fig.  32.) 

The  oesophagus  carries  the  food  from  the 
mouth  and  passing  down  the  neck  beside 
the  windpipe  opens  into— 

The  crop,  where  the  food  is  macerated. 
Thence  it  gradually  passes  into — 

The  true  stomach  (or  proventriculus), 
105 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

which  is  lined  with  small  gastric-secreting 
glands  that  may  be  seen  with  the  naked  eye. 
This  organ  is  hidden  by  the  liver,  and  opens 
directly  into— 

The  gizzard,  situated  on  the  left  side  of 
the  abdomen.    It  rests  on  the  coiled-up  mass 


Windpipe 


FIG.  33.— POST-MORTEM  EXAMINATION  NO.  4 
Lungs,  kidneys,  etc.,  in  situ. 

of  intestines.  It  is  dark  red  and  is  partly 
hidden  by  the  left  lobe  of  the  liver.  The 
walls  are  strong  and  muscular.  Here  the 
food  is  ground  against  small  bits  of  stone, 
etc.  The  partially  digested  food  passes  out 
1 06 


POST-MORTEM   EXAMINATIONS 

through  an  aperture  near  the  entrance  of  the 
true  stomach  into— 

The  duodenum  or  upper  portion  of  the 
small  intestine.  It  forms  a  loop  that  in- 
closes— 

The  pancreas,  a  compact,  flattened  organ, 
pinkish  in  color,  that  discharges  its  secre- 
tion by  three  ducts  into  the  intestines. 

The  small  intestine,  after  forming  the 
loop  (duodenum),  continues  its  course.  It 
first  passes  toward  the  left  and  is  disposed 
in  many  folds  connected  by  the  mesentery; 
toward  the  end  it  passes  up  behind  the  true 
stomach.  Connected  to  the  intestines  are 
the  blind  bodies  known  as— 

The  caca,  connected  to  the  small  in- 
testines for  several  inches  and  which,  after 
becoming  considerably  smaller  in  diameter, 
enter  the  alimentary  tract  where— 

The  large  intestine  (rectum)  starts.  This 
portion  of  the  intestines  is  short  and  enters— 

The  cloaca,  into  which  the  urinary  and 
leproductive  ducts  discharge.  The  exter- 
nal opening  is  known  as  the  vent  or  anus. 

The  brain,  situated  in  the  back  of  the 
107 


POULTRY   DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

head,  is  protected  by  the  cranial  bones.  It 
is  milky  white  except  where  the  blood  ves- 
sels may  be  seen. 

The  windpipe  connects  the  larynx  at  the 
throat  with  the  lungs  branching  into  the  two 
bronchi. 

The  lungs,  situated  in  the  upper  portion 
of  the  thoracic  abdominal  cavity,  are  firmly 
attached  to  the  ribs,  in  the  interspaces  be- 
tween which  they  fit.  They  are  flattened 
and  oval  in  shape,  bright  red  in  color,  and 
loose  and  spongy  in  texture. 

The  heart  is  cone-shaped.  The  lower 
portion  rests  between  the  lobes  of  the  liver. 
The  heart  is  red  and  is  inclosed  in  a  sac 
(the  pericardium)  that  is  easily  removed. 

The  liver,  situated  a  little  lower  down 
than  the  heart,  consists  of  two  lobes.  The 
right  lobe  is  often  larger  than  the  left  which 
may  be  cleft  at  the  lower  end.  The  left 
lobe  covers  the  true  stomach  and  part  of  the 
gizzard.  If  there  is  some  delay  in  holding 
a  post-mortem  examination  the  edges  of  the 
lobes  of  the  liver  become  discolored.  Nor- 
mally the  color  is  a  purplish  red. 
108 


POST-MORTEM   EXAMINATIONS 

The  gall  bladder  fits  into  a  shallow  de- 
pression on  the  underside  of  the  right  lobe 
of  the  liver  and  appears  green  in  color.  A 
duct  conveys  the  bile  from  the  liver  into  the 
gall  bladder,  whence  it  passes  by  another 
duct  into  the  intestine. 

The  spleen,  a  nearly  round,  reddish  body, 
with  a  purplish  tinge,  is  attached  by  a  liga- 
ment to  the  right  side  of  the  true  stomach 
and  is  hidden  by  the  liver. 

The  kidneys  extend  along  the  sides  of  the 
spine  from  immediately  below  the  lungs  to 
near  the  termination  of  the  abdominal 
cavity.  The  general  color  is  a  chocolate 
red,  but  a  small  portion  at  the  upper  end 
(known  as  the  adrenal),  is  yellow.  There 
is  no  urinary  bladder.  The  urates  are  car- 
ried direct  through  the  ureters  to  the  cloaca. 

The  testes  (of  the  male  bird)  are  attached 
to  the  upper  portion  of  the  kidneys.  They 
are  white  or  very  light-colored,  and  may  be 
of  different  sizes. 

The  ovary  (of  the  female  bird),  situated 
on  the  left  side,  covers  the  kidney  on  that 
side.  It  consists  of  numerous  ova  of  vari- 
109 


POULTRY   DISEASES   AND   THEIR   TREATMENT 


Brain 

(Exposed)        Potion   of 
Intestine 
open 


Windpipe       V| 
(Cut  open  and 

showing 
fungoid  growth)  f,} 


FIG.  34.— POST-MORTEM  EXAMINATION  NO.  5 
Examination  of  brain   and  of  portions  of  intestines  and  windpipe. 


HO 


POST-MORTEM   EXAMINATIONS 

ous  sizes  each  of  which  may  develop  into 
an  egg.  As  an  ovum  passes  through  the 
oviduct  it  is  first  coated  with  an  albuminous 
covering  (the  white  of  egg)  ;  lower  down 
it  is  coated  with  a  calcareous  deposit  that 
forms  the  shell  of  the  egg.  (Fig.  18.) 

J.     Diagnosis  of  Disease  by  Post-Mortem 
Symptoms 

For  purposes  of  diagnosis  each  organ 
must  be  examined.  Note  in  each  case  if  it 
is  enlarged,  spotted,  ruptured,  inflamed  or 
engorged  with  blood.  Observe  if  it  is  an 
unusual  color  or  if  it  possesses  any  other 
symptom  of  an  abnormal  character. 

A  single  symptom  in  a  single  organ,  un- 
less very  pronounced  and  characteristic, 
will  not  be  sufficient  evidence  for  forming 
an  accurate  opinion  as  to  the  cause  of  death. 
But  if  the  condition  of  the  other  organs  and 
the  symptoms  before  and  attending  death 
are  taken  into  consideration,  there  will  sel- 
dom be  any  difficulty,  from  a  practical 
standpoint,  in  deciding  upon  the  nature  of 
i  ii 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

the  disease.  Many  points  can  be  decided 
only  by  a  pathologist  with  the  aid  of  a  mi- 
croscope, such,  for  example,  as  the  difference 
between  coccidial  and  bacterial  diarrhea, 
but  it  is  quite  enough  for  the  poultryman  to 
realize  that  one  of  his  fowls  has  died  of  an 
attack  of  an  acute  form  of  diarrhea  and  that 
the  rest  of  his  birds  may  become  infected. 

The  following  notes  draw  attention  to  the 
main  diagnostic  symptoms  observable  on 
post-mortem  examination,  arranged  under 
the  heading  of  the  organs  affected.  Other 
symptoms  are  put  in  parentheses. 

POST- MORTEM  SYMPTOMS 

BRAIN 

Apoplexy. — Shown  by  congestion  of 
blood  vessels  of  brain.  (Staggering  gait 
and  sudden  death.) 

HEART 

Cholera. — Punctiform    hemorrhages   are 
generally  found  ,in  the  heart  in  cases  of 
cholera.     (Yellow  feces;  diarrhea;  sudden 
112 


POST-MORTEM   EXAMINATIONS 

death  of  several  or  many  fowls;   inflamma- 
tion of  upper  portion  of  intestines.) 

LIVER 

Tuberculosis. — Yellowish-white  spots  on 
liver  varying  in  size,  somewhat  raised  and 
convex;  the  spots  or  nodules  may  be  readily 
separated  from  the  rest  of  the  liver.  The 
liver  itself  is  often  very  much  enlarged. 
(Fowl  gradually  loses  weight  and  may  go 
lame;  mesentery  and  spleen  affected  with 
nodules.) 

Cholera. — Liver  enlarged,  dark  green 
and  softened,  sometimes  showing  whitish 
spots. 

Coccldlal  diarrhea. — More  or  less  circu- 
lar patches,  depressed  in  the  centre,  associ- 
ated with  plugged  caeca,  the  linings  of 
which  have  sores. 

Congested  liver. — Much  enlarged  and  en- 
gorged with  blood,  may  be  readily  torn. 

Fatty  degeneration  or  fatty  liver. — In  the 
first  case  the  liver  is  rather  shrunken  and 


POULTRY   DISEASES   AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

hardened,  and  in  the  latter  excessive  de- 
posits of  fat  may  be  noticed. 

Liver  trouble. —  (Indigestion.)  An  en- 
larged liver  without  any  of  the  special 
symptoms  noted  among  the  other  diseases 
of  the  liver. 

Gout. — Needle-like  crystals  (urate  of 
soda)  give  the  liver  the  appearance  of  hav- 
ing been  covered  with  chalk.  (Other  or- 
gans in  abdominal  cavity  covered  with 
same  powder-like  crystals.) 

Aspergillosis. —  Necrotic  areas  with 
mold.  (Fowls  go  light  and  move  about  in 
a  depressed  manner,  resting  on  their  breast 
bones.) 

STOMACH 

Gastritis. — The  mucous  membrane  lin- 
ing of  the  stomach  is  reddened  and  inflamed. 

INTESTINES 

Diarrhea. — Acute     forms    of     intestinal 
troubles  give  rise  to   inflammation  of  the 
114 


POST-MORTEM   EXAMINATIONS 

mucous  membrane  lining  the  walls  of  the 
intestines. 

Cholera. — The  upper  portion  of  the  in- 
testines may  be  reddened  and  the  contents 
show  streaks  or  clots  of  blood. 

Worms. — Round  or  tape  worms  present 

in  intestines. 

* 

C^ECA 

These  blind  ducts  are  of  importance  in 
showing  the  presence  of  coccidiosis  in  fowls 
or  blackhead  in  turkeys. 

Cocci  dial  diarrhea. — The  caeca  are  en- 
larged and  show  ulcers  developing  from 
the  inside. 

WINDPIPE 

The  linings  of  this  organ  should  be  clean 
and  free  of  obstruction  or  mucous  exuda- 
tions. 

Gapes. — Small  worms  about  three-quar- 
ters of  an  inch  long  are  found  attached  to 
the  trachea. 


POULTRY  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  TREATMENT 

Aspergillosis. — A  whitish  mold  will  be 
seen  along  the  inside  of  the  windpipe. 

Pneumonia. — The  bronchial  tubes  con- 
tain a  thick  mucous  exudate. 

Congestion  of  lungs. — Blood  escaped 
from  congested  lungs  is  found  in  the  bron- 
chi. 

LUNGS 

These  should  be  a  bright  red  and  spongy 
in  texture. 

Congestion. — One  or  both  lungs  are  dis- 
tended with  blood  and  dark  in  color. 

Pneumonia. — A  condition  that  follows  on 
congestion,  the  whole  lung  affected  losing 
its  spongy  texture,  the  air  spaces  being  filled 
with  a  semi-solid  substance. 

Brooder  pneumonia. — Spots  due  to  an  as- 
pergillus  fungus  on  lungs.  (Chickens  at- 
tacked.) 

MESENTERY 

Cholera. — Congestion  of  blood  vessels  of 
mesentery  often  seen. 

116 


POST-MORTEM   EXAMINATIONS 

Tuberculosis.— The  mesentery  may  be 
studded  with  nodules. 

SPLEEN 

Tuberculosi s. — A  greatly  enlarged 
spleen. 

Enteritis. —  (Bacterial.)  Spleen  en- 
larged but  paler  in  color. 

URETERS 

Cholera. — Ureters  distended  with  yellow 
u  rates. 


117 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Abscesses    ........     26 

Abnormal  eggs  (see  Oviduct  diseases)  :         .         -77 
Aconite       ........       9 

Air  under  skin  (see  Emphysema)^        .         .         -54 
Air  sac  mite  (see  Mites,  air  sac)  .         .         .         -73 
Anaemia      ........     27 

Apoplexy    ........     28 

Aspergillosis 29 

Atrophy  of  liver  (see  Liver  diseases)    .         .         .70 
Bacterial  enteritis  (see  Diarrhea)          .         .         .48 

Baldness  (see  Favus) 56 

Biliary  repletion   (see  Jaundice)  .         .         .         .65 

Blackhead  of  turkeys  ......     30 

Brandy        ........       9 

Breakdown          .......     33 

Broken  limbs  (see  Fractures)       .         .         .         .58 

Bronchitis 34 

Brooder  pneumonia -35 

Bumblefoot          .......     36 

Calomel      ........       9 

Cancer  (see  Liver  diseases  and  Ovary  diseases)    72,  76 
Canker  (see  Diphtheria)     .         .         .         .         .49 

Carbolic  acid       .......       9 

Castor  oil    .         .         .         .  .         .         .9 

Catarrh   (see  Cold)     .         .         .         .         .         -43 

Catarrh,  contagious  (see  Roup)  .         .         .         .83 

Catarrh  of  crop   .......     37 

Catarrh  of  stomach  (see  Gastritis)       .         .         .62 

Chicken  pox 38 

119 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Chlorodyne          .......       9 

Cholera       ........     39 

Cloacitis      .          .          .          .         .          .          .          .41 

Coccidiosis  of  adult  fowls  .          .          .          .          .42 

Coccidiosis  of  chickens  (see  Brooder  pneumonia)      35 
Coccidiosis  of  turkeys  (see  Blackhead)  .         .         .30 

Cold 43 

Congestion  of  the  liver  (see  Liver  diseases)  .          .     70 
Congestion  of  the  Lungs  (see  Pneumonia)  .     79 

Conjunctivitis  (see  Roup)   .....     83 

Constipation 44 

Cramp         ........     45 

Creolin       ........       9 

Crop-bound          .......     46 

Crop,  soft  .         ...         .         .         .         .         .89 

Crop,  catarrh  of          ......     37 

Depluming   mite          ......     74 

Diarrhea,  bacterial       .          .          .          .          .          .48 

Diarrhea,  mycotic        ......     48 

Diarrhea,  protozoan     .         .         .         .         .         .48 

Diarrhea,  mild    .......     47 

Diarrhea,  severe  ......     48 

Diarrhea,  white  .......     47 

Diphtheria  .......     49 

Diphtheritic  roup         .          .          .          .          .          .49 

Disinfection 10 

Dislocations  (see  Fractures)          .          .          .          .58 

Doses 9 

Dropsy       .         .  .         .         .         .         •     52 

Drugs 9 

Ducks 20 

Dysentery   ...  .     52 

Egg-bound  .......     53 

Egg-eating  ....  ...     54 

120 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Emphysema         .  .         .         .         .         -     54 

Enlargement  of  heart  (see  Heart,  diseases  of)  .64 
Enlargement  of  liver  (see  Liver  diseases)  .  .  70 
Enlargement  of  kidneys  (see  Kidney  diesases)  .  66 
Enteritis  (see  Diarrhea)  .  .  .  .  .46 
Entero-hepatitis  (see  Blackhead)  .  .  .30 

Epilepsy 55 

Epsom  salts         .......       9 

Fatty  degeneration       ......     56 

Favus          ........     56 

Feather-eating     .         .         .         .         .         .         -57 

Fits  (see  Epilepsy)      .         .         .         .      '   f         -55 

Fleas. 58 

Fowl   typhoid      .         .         .         .         .         .         .41 

Fractures 58 

Frost  bite    ........     59 

Gangrenous  ovary   (see  Ovary  diseases)        .          .     76 
Gapes          ........     60 

Gastritis     ........     62 

Geese 21 

Going  light  (see  Anemia)    .         .          .          .         .27 

Gout 63 

Grippe  (see  Cold) 43 

Guinea  fowls      .         .         .         .         .         .         .21 

Heart,  diseases  of  .         .         .          .         .63 

Heart,  dropsy  of 64 

Heart,  enlargement  of         .....     64 

Heart,  rupture   .......     64 

Hydrogen  peroxide      ......       9 

Hypertrophy  of  the  liver  (see  Liver  diseases)  .  70 
Impaction  of  crop  (see  Crop-bound)  .  .  .46 
Indigestion  .......  64 

Influenza  (see  Cold) 43 

Iodine         .....,,.       9' 
121 


INDEX 


T        ,-  PAGE 

Jaundice     ........     65 

Kidney  diseases  .          .          .          .          .          .          .65 

Leg  weakness 66 

Leukemia  (see  Cholera)      .         .         .         .         .39 

Lice 66 

Limber-neck        .         .         .         .         .         .         .69 

Liver  diseases     .......     70 

Lungs,  congestion  of  (see  Pneumonia)          .          .     79 

Maggots 72 

Medicines  ....         ...       9 

Mites,  air  sac     .......     73 

Mites,  depluming        ......     74 

Mites,  red  ........     75 

Mites,  scaly  leg  (see  Scaly  leg)  .         .         .         .88 

Molting     ........     75 

Nodular  taeniasis  (see  Worms)   .         .         .         .97 

Nursing  fowls     .         .         .         .         .         .         .5 

Ointment    ........       9 

Ovary  diseases    .......     76 

Oviduct  diseases  ......     77 

Peritonitis  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         -77 

Permanganate  of  potash        .....       9 

Pigeons       .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .21 

Pip    .         .         .         • 79 

Pneumonia  .......     79 

Poisoning    ........     80 

Post-mortem  examination    .          .          .          .          -99 

Prolapse  of  oviduct  (see  Oviduct  diseases)  .         .77 
Puffed  skin   (see  Emphysema)     .         .         .         -54 
Pyaemia      .         .  .....     82 

Quinine      ........       9 

Rheumatism        .......     83 

Roup 83 

Scabies  (see  Mites,  depluming)   .          .          .          -     74 

Scaly  leg  88 

122 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Soft  crop    ........     89 

'Sore  head  (see  Chicken  pox)       .         .         .         .38 

Sulphur  ointment  9 

Ticks 90 

Tuberculosis        .......     90 

Turkeys 20 

Turpentine          .......       9 

Vertigo  (see  Apoplexy)       .         .         .         .         .28 

Water n 

White  comb   (see  Favus)    .          ...         .         .56 

White  diarrhea  of  chickens  .          .         .         .          .92 

Worms       ........     94 


123 


STANDARD  BOOKS 

PUBLISHED   BY 

ORANGE  JUDD  COMPANY 

NEW  YORK  CHICAGO 

ASHLAND  BUILDING  PEOPLE'S  GAS  BUILDING 

315-321  Fourth  Avenue  150    Michigan  Avenue 


Any  of  these  books  will  be  sent  by  mail,  postpaid,  to 
any  part  of  the  world,  on  receipt  of  catalog  price.  We  are 
always  happy  to  correspond  with  our  patrons,  and  cordially 
invite  them  to  address  us  on  any  matter  pertaining  to  rural 
boo^s.  Send  for  our  large  illustrated  catalog,  free  on  appli- 
cation. 

First  Principles  of  Soil  Fertility 

By  ALFRED  VIVIAN.  There  is  no  subject  of  more  ^ital 
importance  to  the  farmer  than  that  of  the  best  method 
of  maintaining  the  fertility  of  the  soil.  The  very  evidem 
decrease  in  the  fertility  of  those  soils  which  have  been 
under  cultivation  for  a  number  of  years,  combined  with 
the  increased  competition  and  the  advanced  price  of  labor, 
have  convinced  the  intelligent  farmer  that  the  agriculture 
of  the  future  must  be  based  upon  more  rational  practices 
than  those  which  have  been  followed  in  the  past.  We 
have  felt  for  some  time  that  there  was  a  place  for  a 
brief,  and  at  the  same  time  comprehensive,  treatise  on 
this  important  subject  of  Soil  Fertility.  Professor  Vivian's 
experience  as  a  teacher  in  the  short  winter  courses  has 
admirably  fitted  him  to  present  this  matter  in  a  popular 
style.  In  this  little  book  he  has  given  the  gist  of  the 
subject  in  plain  language,  practically  devoid  of  technical 
and  scientific  terms.  It  is  pre-eminently  a  "First  Book," 
and  will  be  found  especially  valuable  to  those  who  desire 
an  introduction  to  the  subject,  arid  who  intend  to  do  subse- 
quent reading.  Illustrated.  5x7  inches.  265  pages.  Cloth. 

Net,  $1.00 

The  Study  of  Corn 

By  PROF.  V.  M.  SHOESMITH.  A  most  helpful  book  to  all 
farmers  and  students  interested  in  the  selection  and  im- 
provement of  corn.  It  is  profusely  illustrated  from  photo- 
graphs, all  of  which  carry  their  own  story  and  contribute 
their  part  in  making  pictures  and  text  matter  a  clear,  con- 
cise and  interesting  studv  of  corn.  Illustrated.  5x7  inches, 
loo  pages.  Cloth  ,  v  »  «.-...  Net,  $0,50 

(1) 


The  New  Egg  Farm 

By  H.  H.  STODDARD.  A  practical,  reliable  manual  on 
producing  eggs  and  poultry  for  market  as  a  profitable  business 
enterprise,  either  by  itself  or  connected  with  other  branches 
of  agriculture.  It  tells  all  about  how  to  feed  and  manage, 
how  to  breed  and  select,  incubators  and  brooders,  its  labor- 
saving  devices,  etc.,  etc.  Illustrated.  331  pages.  5x7  inches. 
Cloth $1.00 

Poultry  Feeding  and  Fattening 

Compiled  by  G.  B.  FISKE.  A  handbook  for  poultry  keep- 
ers on  the  standard  and-  improved  methods  of  feeding  and 
marketing  all  kinds  of  poultry.  The  subject  of  feeding  and 
fattening  poultry  is  prepared  largely  from  the  side  of  the 
best  practice  and  experience  here  and  abroad,  although  the 
underlying  science  of  feeding  is  explained  as  fully  as  needful. 
The  subject  covers  all  branches,  including  chickens,  broilers, 
capons,  turkeys  and  waterfowl ;  how  to  feed  under  various 
conditions  and  for  different  purposes.  The  whole  subject  of 
capons  and  caponizing  is  treated  in  detail.  A  great  mass  of 
practical  information  and  experience  not  readily  obtainable 
elsewhere  is  given  with  full  and  explicit  directions  for  fatten- 
ing and  preparing  for  market.  This  book  will  meet  the  needs 
of  amateurs  as  well  as  commercial  poultry  raisers.  Profusely 
illustrated.  160  pages.  5  x  7^  inches.  Cloth.  .  .  .  $0.50 

Poultry  Architecture 

Compiled  by  G.  B.  FISKE.  A  treatise  on  poultry  buildings 
of  all  grades,  styles  and  classes,  and  their  proper  location, 
coops,  additions  and  special  construction ;  all  practical  in  de- 
sign, and  reasonable  in  cost.  Over  100  illustrations.  125  pages. 
5x7  inches.  Cloth $0.50 

Poultry  Appliances  and  Handicraft 

Compiled  by  G.  B.  FISKE.  Illustrated  description  of  a 
great  variety  and  styles  of  the  best  homemade  nests,  roosts, 
windows,  ventilators,  incubators  and  brooders,  feeding  and 
watering  appliances,  etc.,  etc.  Over  100  illustrations.  Over 
125  pages.  5x7  inches.  Cloth $0.50 

Turkeys  and  How  to  Grow  Them 

Edited  by  HERBERT  MYRICK.  A  treatise  on  the  natural 
history  and  origin  of  the  name  of  turkeys ;  the  various  breeds, 
the  best  methods  to  insure  success  in  the  business  of  turkey 
growing.  With  essays  from  practical  turkey  growers  in 
different  parts  of  the  United  States  and  Canada  Copiously 
illustrated.  154  pages.  5  x  7  inches.  Cloth,  .  .  .  .  $1.00 

(18) 


Profitable  Stock  Raising 

By  CLARENCE  A.  SHAMEL.  This  book  covers  fully  the 
principles  of  breeding  and  feeding  for  both  fat  stock  and 
dairying  type.  It  tells  of  sheep  and  mutton  raising,  hot 
house  lambs,  the  swine  industry  and  the  horse  market. 
Finally,  he  tells  of  the  preparation  of  stock  for  the  market, 
and  how  to  prepare  it  so  that,  it  will  bring  a  high  market 
price.  Live  stock  is  the  most  important  feature  of  farm 
life,  and  statistics  show  a  production  far  short  of  the 
actual  requirements.  There  are  many  problems  to  be 
faced  in  the  profitable  production  of  stock,  and  these  are 
fully  and  comprehensively  covered  in  Mr.  Shamel's  new 
book.  Illustrated.  5x7  inches.  288  pages.  Cloth. 

Net,  $1.50 

The  Business  of  Dairying 

By  C.  B.  LANE.  The  author  of  this  practical  little  book 
is  to  be  congratulated  on  the  successful  manner  in  which 
he  has  treated  so  important  a  subject.  It  has  been  pre- 
pared for  the  use  of  dairy  students,  producers  and  handlers 
of  milk,  and  all  who  make  dairying  a  business.  Its  pur- 
pose is  to  present  in  a  clear  and  concise  manner  various 
business  methods  and  systems  which  will  help  the  dairy- 
man to  reap  greater  profits.  This  book  meets  the  needs 
of  the  average  dairy  farmer,  and  if  carefully  followed  will 
lead  to  successful  dairying.  It  may  also  be  used  as  an 
^lementary  textbook  for  colleges,  and  especially  in  short- 
ourse  classes.  Illustrated.  5x7  inches.  300  pages.  Cloth. 

Net,  $1.25 

Questions  and  Answers  on  Buttermaking 

By  CHAS  A.  PUBLOW.  This  book  is  entirely  different 
from  the  usual  type  of  dairy  books,  and  is  undoubtedly  in 
a  class  by  itself.  The  entire  subject  of  butter-making  in 
all  its  branches  has  been  most  thoroughly  treated,  and 
many  new  and  important  features  have  been  added.  The 
tests  for  moisture,  salt  and  acid  have  received  special 
attention,  as  have  also  the  questions  on  cream  separa- 
tion, pasteurization,  commercial  starters,  cream  ripening, 
cream  overrun,  marketing  of  butter,  and  creamery  man- 
agement. Illustrated.  5x7  inches.  100  pages.  Cloth, 

Net,  $0.50 

Questions  and  Answers  on  Milk  and  Milk  Testing 

By  CHAS.  A.  PUBLOW,  and  HUGH  C.  TROY.  A  book  that 
no  student  in  the  dairy  industry  can  afford  to  be  without. 
No  other  treatise  of  its  kind  is  available,  and  no  book  of 
its  size  gives  so  much  practical  and  useful  information  in 
the  study  of  milk  and  milk  products.  Illustrated.  5x7 
inches.  100  pages.  Cloth Net,  $0.50 

(3) 


Soils 

By  Ch-^t^ES  VVILLIAM  BuRKETT,  Director  Kansas  Agri- 
cultural Experiment  Station.  The  most  complete  and 
popular  work  of  the  kind  ever  published.  As  a  rule,  a 
book  of  this  sort  is  dry  and  uninteresting,  but  in  this  case 
it  reads  like  a  novel.  The  author  has  put  into  it  his  in- 
dividuality. The  story  of  the  properties  of  the  soils,  their 
improvement  and  management,  as  well  as  a  discussion  of 
the  problems  of  crop  growing  and  crop  feeding,  make  this 
book  equally  valuable  to  the  farmer,  student  and  teacher. 
Illustrated.  303  pages.  5^x8  inches.  Cloth.  .  Net,  $1.25 

Weeds  of  the  Farm  Garden 

By  L.  H.  PAMMEL.  The  enormous  losses,  amounting 
to  several  hundred  million  dollars  annually  in  the  United 
States,  caused  by  weeds  stimulate  us  to  adopt  a  better 
system  of  agriculture.  The  weed  question  is,  therefore 
a  most  important  and  vital  one  for  American  farmen 
This  treatise  will  enable  the  farmer  to  treat  his  field  to 
remove  weeds.  The  book  is  profusely  illustrated  by  photo- 
graphs and  drawings  made  expressly  for  this  work,  and 
will  prove  invaluable  to  every  farmer,  land  owner,  gar- 
dener and  park  superintendent.  5x7  inches.  300  pages. 
Cloth Net,  $1.50 

Farm  Machinery  and  Farm  Motors 

By  J.  B.  DAVIDSON  and  L.  W.  CHASE.  Farm  Machinery 
and  Farm  Motors  is  the  first  American  book  published 
on  the  subject  of  Farm  Machinery  since  that  written  by 
J.  J.  Thomas  in  1867.  This  was  before  the  development 
of  many  of  the  more  important  farm  machines,  and  the 
general  application  of  power  to  the  work  of  the  farm. 
Modern  farm  machinery  is  indispensable  in  present-day 
farming  operations,  and  a  practical  book  like  Farm  Ma- 
chinery and  Farm  Motors  will  fill  a  much-felt  need.  The 
book  has  been  written  from  lectures  used  by  the  authors 
before  their  classes  for  several  years,  and  which  were  pre- 
pared from  practical  experience  and  a  thorough  review  of 
the  literature  pertaining  to  the  subject.  Although  written 
primarily  as  a  text-book,  it  is  equally  useful  for  the  prac- 
tical farmer.  Profusely  illustrated.  5^/2x8  inches.  520 
pages.  Cloth Net,  $2.00 

The  Book  of  Wheat 

By  P.  T.  DONDLINGER.  This  book  comprises  a  complete 
study  of  everything  pertaining  to  wheat.  It  is  the  work 
of  a  student  of  economic  as  well  as  agricultural  condi- 
tions, well  fitted  by  the  broad  experience  in  both  practical 
and  theoretical  lines  to  tell  the  whole  story  in  a  condensed 
form.  It  is  designed  for  the  farmer,  the  teacher,  and  the 
student  as  well.  Illustrated.  5]^x8  inches.  370  pages. 
Cloth.  ...  .......  Net,  $2.00 


Btan  Culture 

By  GLENN  C.  SEVEY,  B.S.  A  practical  treatise  on  the  pro 
duction  and  marketing  of  beans.  It  includes  the  manner  oi 
growth,  soils  and  fertilizers  adapted,  best  varieties,  seed  selec- 
tion and  breeding,  planting,  harvesting,  insects  and  fungous 
pests,  composition  and  feeding  value;  with  a  special  chapter 
on  markets  by  Albert  W.  Fulton.  A  practical  book  for  the 
grower  and  student  alike.  Illustrated.  144  pages.  5x7 
inches.  Cloth $0.50 

Celery  Culture 

By  W.  R.  BEATTIE.  A  practical  guide  for  beginners  and  a 
standard  reference  of  great  interest  to  persons  already  en- 
gaged in  celery  growing.  It  contains  many  illustrations  giving 
a  clear  conception  of  the  practical  side  of  celery  culture.  The 
work  is  complete  in  every  detail,  from  sowing  a  few  seeds  in 
a  window-box  in  the  house  for  early  plants,  to  the  handling 
and  marketing  of  celery  in  carload  lots.  Fully  illustrated. 
150  pages.  5x7  inches.  Cloth $0.50 

Tomato  Culture 

By  WILL  W.  TRACY.  The  author  has  rounded  up  in  this 
book  the  most  complete  account  of  tomato  culture  in  all  its 
phases  that  has  ever  been  gotten  togetucr.  It  is  no  second- 
hand work  of  reference,  but  a  complete  story  of  the  practice 
experiences  of  the  best-posted  expert  on  tomatoes  in  the 
world.  No  gardener  or  farmer  can  afford  to  be  without  the 
book.  Whether  grown  for  home  use  or  commercial  purposes, 
the  reader  has  here  suggestions  and  information  nowhere  else 
available.  Illustrated.  150  pages.  5  x  7  inches.  Cloth.  $0.50 

The  Potato 

By  SAMUEL  FRASER.  This  book  is  destined  to  rank  as  a 
standard  work  upon  Potato  Culture.  While  the  practical  side 
has  been  emphasized,  the  scientific  part  has  not  been  neglected, 
and  the  information  given  is  of  value,  both  to  the  grower  and 
to  the  student.  Taken  all  in  all,  it  is  the  most  complete,  reliable 
and  authoritative  book  on  the  potato  ever  published  in  Amer- 
ica. Illustrated.  200  pages.  5x7  inches.  Cloth.  .  .  $0.75 

Dwarf  Fruit  Trees 

By  F.  A.  WAUGH.  This  interesting  book  describes  in  detail 
the  several  varieties  of  dwarf  fruit  trees,  their  propagation, 
planting,  pruning,  care  and  general  management.  Where 
there  is  a  limited  amount  of  ground  to  be  devoted  to  orchard 
purposes,  and  where  quick  results  are  desired,  this  book  will 
meet  with  a  warm  welcome.  Illustrated.  112  pages.  5x7 

inches.     Cloth $0.50 

(6) 


Cabbage,  Cauliflower  and  Allied  Vegetables 

By  C.  L.  ALLEN.  A  practical  treatise  on  the  various 
types  and  varieties  of  cabbage,  cauliflower,  broccoli,  Brussels 
sprouts,  kale,  collards  and  kohl-rabi.  An  explanation  is  given 
of  the  requirements,  conditions,  cultivation  arid  general  man- 
agement pertaining  to  the  entire  cabbage  group.  After  this 
each  class  is  treated  separately  and  in  detail.  The  chapter 
on  seed  raising  is  probably  the  most  authoritative  treatise  on 
this  subject  ever  published.  Insects  and  fungi  attacking  this 
class  of  vegetables  are  given  due  attention.  Illustrated.  126 
pages.  5x7  inches.  Cloth $0.50 


Asparagus 

By  F.  M.  HEXAMER.  This  is  the  first  book  published  in 
America  which  is  exclusively  devoted  to  the  raising  of  aspara- 
gus for  home  use  as  well  as  for  market.  It  is  a  practice' 
and  reliable  treatice  on  the  saving  of  the  seed,  raising  of  the 
plants,  selection  and  preparation  of  the  soil,  planting,  cultiva- 
tion, manuring,  cutting,  bunching,  packing,  marketing,  canning 
and  drying,  insect  enemies,  fungous  diseases  and  every  re- 
quirement to  successful  asparagus  culture,  special  emphasis  be- 
ing given  to  the  importance  of  asparagus  as  a  farm  and  money 
crop.  Illustrated.  174  pages.  5x7  inches.  Cloth.  .  $0.50 


The  New  Onion  Culture 

By  T.  GRFINER.  Rewritten,  greatly  enlarged  and  brought 
up  to  date.  A  new  method  of  growing  onions  of  largest  size 
and  yield,  on  less  land,  than  can  be  raised  by  the  old  plan. 
Thousands  of  farmers  and  gardeners  and  many  experiment 
stations  have  given  it  practical  trials  which  have  proved  a 
success.  A  complete  guide  in  growing  onions  with  the  great- 
est profit,  explaining  the  whys  and  wherefores.  Illustrated 
5x7  inches.  140  pages.  Cicth.  .......  $0.50 


The  New  Rhubarb  Culture 

A  complete  guide  to  dark  forcing  and  field  culture.  Pan 
I — By  J.  E.  MORSE,  the  well-known  Michigan  trucker  and 
originator  of  the  now  famous  and  extremely  profitable  new 
methods  of  dark  forcing  and  field  culture.  Part  II — Com- 
piled by  G.  B.  FISKE.  Other  methods  practiced  by  the  most 
experienced  market  gardeners,  greenhouse  men  and  experi- 
menters in  all  parts  of  America.  Illustrated.  ^30  pages. 
5x7  inches.  Clotu  .  .  $0.50 


Alfalfa 

By  F.  D.  COBURN.  Its  grow,...,  uses,  and  feeding  value. 
The  fact  that  alfalfa  thrives  in  almost  any  soil;  that  without 
reseeding,  it  goes  on  yielding  two,  three,  four,  and  sometimes 
five  cuttings  annually  for  five,  ten,  or  perhaps  100  years ;  and 
that  either  green  or  cured  it  is  one  of  the  most  nutritious 
forage  plants  known,  makes  reliable  information  upon  its  pro- 
duction and  uses  of  unusual  interest.  Such  information  is 
given  in  this  volume  for  every  part  of  America,  by  the  highest 
authority.  Illustrated.  164  pages.  5x7  inches.  Cloth.  $0.50 

Ginseng,    Its    Cultivation,    Harvesting,    Marketing 
and  Market  Value 

By  MAURICE  G.  KAINS,  with  a  short  account  of  its  history 
and  botany.  It  discusses  in  a  practical  way  how  to  begin  with 
either  seeds  or  roots,  soil,  climate  and  location,  preparation1 
planting  and  maintenance  of  the  beds,  artificial  propagation, 
manures,  enemies,  selection  for  market  and  for  improvement, 
preparation  for  sale,  and  the  profits  that  may  be  expected. 
This  booklet  is  concisely  written,  well  and  profusely  illus- 
trated, and  should  be  in  the  hands  of  all  who  expect  to  grow 
this  drug  to  supply  the  export  trade,  and  to  add  a  new  and 
profitable  industry  to  their  farms  and  gardens,  without  inter- 
fering with  the  regular  work.  New  edition.  Revised  and  en- 
larged. Illustrated.  5x7  inches.  Cloth $0.50 

Landscape  Gardening 

By  F.  A.  WAUGH,  professor  of  horticulture,  university  of 
Vermont.  A  treatise  on  the  general  principles  governing 
outdoor  art ;  with  sundry  suggestions  for  their  application 
in  the  commoner  problems  of  gardening.  Every  paragraph  is 
short,  terse  and  to  the  point,  giving  perfect  clearness  to  the 
discussions  at  all  points.  In  spite  of  the  natural  difficulty 
of  presenting  abstract  principles  the  whole  matter  is  made . 
entirely  plain  even  to  the  inexperienced  reader.  Illustrated. 
152  pages.  5x7  inches.  Cloth $0.50 

Hedges,  Windbreaks,  Shelters  and  Live  Fences 

By  E.  P.  POWELL.  A  treatise  on  the  planting,  growth 
and  management  of  hedge  plants  for  country  and  suburban 
homes.  It  gives  accurate  directions  concerning  hedges ;  how 
to  plant  and  how  to  treat  them ;  and  especially  concerning 
windbreaks  and  shelters.  It  includes  the  whole  art  of  making 
a  delightful  home,  giving  directions  for  nooks  and  balconies, 
for  bird  culture  and  for  human  comfort.  Illustrated.  140 
pages.  5x7  inches.  Cloth $0.50 


AN  INITIAL  FINE  OF  25  CENTS 

WIL?      Bcr  VT4J.M   J.  ,3 


Ti 

J 


NOV  241961 


ITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


